Oxidative conversion of hydrocarbons using sulfur oxides as oxygen carriers

ABSTRACT

The oxidative coupling of methane (OCM) and the oxidative dehydrogenation (ODH) of ethane and higher hydrocarbons is described using SO3 and sulfate, sulfite, bisulfite and metabifulfite salts as oxygen transfer agents in the presence of one or more elements selected from Groups 3 to 14 of the periodic table, optionally further in the presence of alkali or alkaline salts and/or sulfur-containing compounds.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a Divisional Application of U.S. application Ser. No. 16/877,992, filed May 19, 2020 (allowed), which claims the benefit of and priority from U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/850,285, filed on May 20, 2019, the disclosure of which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety for all purposes.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates to the oxidative coupling of methane (OCM) and the oxidative dehydrogenation (ODH) of ethane and higher saturated hydrocarbons using sulfur oxides as oxygen transfer agents.

BACKGROUND

Ethylene and propylene are important building blocks for the petrochemical industry and are used in manufacturing polymers such as polyethylene, polypropylene, polystyrene and additional chemical compounds of commercial interest. Over 90% of the global olefin production originates from the high temperature steam cracking of naphtha or ethane and propane. The steam cracking process, which utilizes furnaces, is highly energy intensive, and 1.5 to 2 tons of carbon dioxide are produced for every ton of olefin product.

Natural gas production from shale deposits has dramatically increased supply in recent years. As a result of the continued global demand for olefins and the potential for a new growing supply of ethane and propane available in natural gas liquids from shale deposits, a significant amount of interest and investment is currently directed to expanding the capacity of ethylene and propylene derived from these new sources. Numerous olefin grass root and expansion projects are either under contract or in the planning stages to take advantage of the relatively low cost liquids from wet shale gas. However, there are several environmental and cost challenges to operating at this level of new capacity.

Olefin production is the largest emitter of CO₂ and NO_(x) in the organic chemical industry. With worldwide ethylene production at approximately 150 MT/yr, the industry emits 150-300 MT/yr of CO₂ and around 1.4 MT/yr of NO_(x). Projects located in strict EPA non-attainment zones are challenged by the increased cost of NO_(x) control. The total greenhouse gas (GHG) emission profile, reported in CO₂ equivalents, is another critical part of the permitting process for all production expansions.

The industry continues to push for a production technology that: (1) generates higher overall yields of ethylene and propylene; (2) increases the run length time between furnace turnarounds (e.g., inspections, repairs, improvements, etc.); (3) lowers steam and energy utilization; and (4) lowers all GHGs, including carbon dioxide and NO_(x). The ODH of ethane and propane to ethylene and propylene, respectively, offers a potential solution for addressing these needs, such as a production route that can significantly reduce CO₂ emissions and virtually eliminate NO_(x) emissions from world scale plants.

The ODH of ethane is a selective catalytic process that produces primarily ethylene and water as products in an exothermic reaction (reaction 1). CH₃CH₃+½O₂→CH₂CH₂+H₂O ΔH_(o)=−105 kJ/mol  (1) The per pass yield of the ODH reaction is not limited by thermodynamic equilibrium, as it is in pyrolysis (reaction 2). CH₃CH₃+Heat ⇄CH₂CH₂+H₂ ΔH_(o)=+137 kJ/mol  (2)

ODH provides an opportunity to improve the efficiency of olefin production. While a significant amount of research has been done over the last 25 years, most reported ODH processes are not cost-effective because they involve highly exothermic catalytic reactions with co-fed oxygen and platinum group metal catalysts. Thus, there is a significant need for improved materials for facilitating ODH, as well as reactors and processes that incorporate these improved materials.

The oxidative coupling of methane (OCM) and the oxidative dehydrogenation (ODH) of ethane and higher hydrocarbons to olefinic products represent reactions of substantial commercial value. These conversions may be accomplished (i) catalytically, by reacting a hydrocarbon and an oxygen-containing gas in the presence of a catalyst, or by (ii) a redox oxygen transfer mode whereby a hydrocarbon is reacted with an Oxygen Transfer Agent (OTA) which supplies the oxygen needed for the formation of water. Both systems are exemplified by the following reaction (reaction 3). zC_(n)H_(2n+2−2β)+(z−1+δ)“O”→C_((z×n))H_(2(z×n)+2−2β−2δ)+(z−1+δ)H₂O  (3) where z=the number of reacting molecules; n=the number of atomic units in the reacting molecule; β=the degree of unsaturation where the value is zero for single bonds, one for double bonds and molecular rings, and two for triple bonds; and δ=the change in the degree of unsaturation. The oxygen “O” may be supplied by the reduction of a metal oxide transfer agent or via molecular oxygen in the presence of a suitable catalyst. The agent that supplies the oxygen, whether a reducible metal oxide or another type of catalyst or catalyst system may be referred to as an oxygen transfer agent (OTA).

A commercially viable catalyst or oxygen transfer agent (OTA) should have at least the following attributes:

-   -   an ability to achieve a high rate of conversion of the feedstock         to desired products;     -   highly selective for the desired products and in high yields;     -   having a high oxygen carrying capacity;     -   produced at low cost from readily available materials; and     -   exhibits a viable high temperature particle flow and         fluidization and low attrition.         There remains a need for catalysts and OTAs that satisfy these         requirements, especially for use in the oxidative coupling of         methane (OCM) and the oxidative dehydrogenation (ODH) of ethane         and higher hydrocarbons.

SUMMARY

An aspect of the invention is a method of oxidatively dehydrogenating a saturated hydrocarbon feed to produce a dehydrogenated (unsaturated) hydrocarbon product and water, the method comprising:

contacting the saturated hydrocarbon feed at the same or different times with

-   -   (a) at least one oxygen transfer agent comprising a sulfate         salt, such as a sulfate salt of an alkali or alkaline earth         metal;     -   (b) one or more elements selected from Groups 3 to 14 of the         periodic table;     -   (c) optionally an alkali or alkaline earth metal salt that is         not the sulfate salt of (a); and     -   (d) optionally a sulfur-containing compound that is not the         sulfate salt of (a); and

oxidatively dehydrogenating the hydrocarbon feed under suitable reaction conditions to produce the dehydrogenated hydrocarbon product and the water.

Another aspect of the invention is a method of oxidatively dehydrogenating a saturated hydrocarbon feed to produce a dehydrogenated (unsaturated) hydrocarbon product and water, the method comprising:

contacting the saturated hydrocarbon feed at the same or different times with

-   -   (a) at least one oxygen transfer agent comprising SO₃;     -   (b) optionally one or more elements selected from Groups 3 to 14         of the periodic table;     -   (c) optionally an alkali or alkaline earth metal salt; and     -   (d) optionally a sulfur-containing compound that is not SO₃; and

oxidatively dehydrogenating the hydrocarbon feed under suitable reaction conditions to produce the dehydrogenated hydrocarbon product and the water.

An aspect of the invention is a method of oxidatively dehydrogenating a saturated hydrocarbon feed to produce a dehydrogenated (unsaturated) hydrocarbon product and water, the method comprising:

contacting the saturated hydrocarbon feed at the same or different times with

-   -   (a) at least one oxygen transfer agent comprising a sulfite,         bisulfite and/or metabisulfite salt, such as a sulfite,         bisulfite and/or metabisulfite salt of an alkali or alkaline         earth metal;     -   (b) one or more elements selected from Groups 3 to 14 of the         periodic table;     -   (c) optionally an alkali or alkaline earth metal salt that is         not the sulfite, bisulfite and/or metabisulfite salt of (a); and     -   (d) optionally a sulfur-containing compound that is not the         sulfite, bisulfite and/or metabisulfite salt of (a); and

oxidatively dehydrogenating the hydrocarbon feed under suitable reaction conditions to produce the dehydrogenated hydrocarbon product and the water.

Another aspect of the invention is an apparatus configured to produce a dehydrogenated (unsaturated) hydrocarbon product by oxidative dehydrogenation of a saturated hydrocarbon feed to produce the dehydrogenated hydrocarbon product and water, the apparatus comprising:

at least one vessel configured for:

(i) contacting the saturated hydrocarbon feed at the same or different times with

-   -   (a) at least one oxygen transfer agent comprising a sulfate         salt, such as a sulfate salt of an alkali or alkaline earth         metal;     -   (b) one or more elements selected from Groups 3 to 14 of the         periodic table;     -   (c) optionally an alkali or alkaline earth metal salt that is         not the sulfate salt of (a); and     -   (d) optionally a sulfur-containing compound that is not the         sulfate salt of (a); and         (ii) oxidatively dehydrogenating the saturated hydrocarbon feed         under suitable reaction conditions to produce the dehydrogenated         hydrocarbon product and the water, wherein at least a portion of         the oxygen transfer agent is converted to a reduced form.

Another aspect of the invention is an apparatus configured to produce a dehydrogenated (unsaturated) hydrocarbon product by oxidative dehydrogenation of a saturated hydrocarbon feed to produce the dehydrogenated hydrocarbon product and water, the apparatus comprising:

at least one vessel configured for:

(i) contacting the saturated hydrocarbon feed at the same or different times with

-   -   (a) at least one oxygen transfer agent comprising SO₃;     -   (b) optionally one or more elements selected from Groups 3 to 14         of the periodic table;     -   (c) optionally an alkali or alkaline earth metal salt; and     -   (d) optionally a sulfur-containing compound that is not SO₃; and         (ii) oxidatively dehydrogenating the saturated hydrocarbon feed         under suitable reaction conditions to produce the dehydrogenated         hydrocarbon product and the water, wherein at least a portion of         the oxygen transfer agent is converted to a reduced form.

Another aspect of the invention is an apparatus configured to produce a dehydrogenated (unsaturated) hydrocarbon product by oxidative dehydrogenation of a saturated hydrocarbon feed to produce the dehydrogenated hydrocarbon product and water, the apparatus comprising:

at least one vessel configured for:

(i) contacting the saturated hydrocarbon feed at the same or different times with

-   -   (a) at least one oxygen transfer agent comprising a sulfite,         bisulfite and/or metabisulfite salt, such as a sulfite,         bisulfite and/or metabisulfite salt of an alkali or alkaline         earth metal;     -   (b) one or more elements selected from Groups 3 to 14 of the         periodic table;     -   (c) optionally an alkali or alkaline earth metal salt that is         not the sulfite, bisulfite and/or metabisulfite salt of (a); and     -   (d) optionally a sulfur-containing compound that is not the         sulfite, bisulfite and/or metabisulfite salt of (a); and         (ii) oxidatively dehydrogenating the saturated hydrocarbon feed         under suitable reaction conditions to produce the dehydrogenated         hydrocarbon product and the water, wherein at least a portion of         the oxygen transfer agent is converted to a reduced form.

Yet another aspect of the invention is a composition for oxidative dehydrogenation of a saturated hydrocarbon feed and/or for OCM, the composition comprising:

-   -   (a) at least one oxygen transfer agent comprising a sulfate         salt, such as a sulfate salt of an alkali or alkaline earth         metal;     -   (b) one or more elements selected from Groups 3 to 14 of the         periodic table;     -   (c) optionally an alkali or alkaline earth metal salt that is         not the sulfate salt of (a); and     -   (d) optionally a sulfur-containing compound that is not the         sulfate salt of (a).

Another aspect of the invention is a composition for oxidative dehydrogenation of a saturated hydrocarbon feed and/or for OCM, the composition comprising:

-   -   (a) at least one oxygen transfer agent comprising SO₃;     -   (b) one or more elements selected from Groups 3 to 14 of the         periodic table;     -   (c) optionally an alkali or alkaline earth metal salt; and     -   (d) optionally a sulfur-containing compound that is not SO₃.

Another aspect of the invention is a composition for oxidative dehydrogenation of a saturated hydrocarbon feed and/or for OCM, the composition comprising:

-   -   (a) at least one oxygen transfer agent comprising a sulfite,         bisulfite and/or metabisulfite salt, such as a sulfite,         bisulfite and/or metabisulfite salt of an alkali or alkaline         earth metal;     -   (b) one or more elements selected from Groups 3 to 14 of the         periodic table;     -   (c) optionally an alkali or alkaline earth metal salt that is         not the sulfite, bisulfite and/or metabisulfite salt of (a); and     -   (d) optionally a sulfur-containing compound that is not the         sulfite, bisulfite and/or metabisulfite salt of (a).

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The drawings are intended to illustrate specific embodiments of the invention and are not intended to otherwise limit the scope of the invention as described.

FIG. 1 shows a generalized conventional reactor system for implementing both OCM and ODH of ethane and higher hydrocarbons using redox cyclic mode or chemical looping techniques. More specifically, calcium sulfate (CaSO₄) acts as an OTA in the conversion of a saturated hydrocarbon feedstock (fuel) under ODH reaction conditions to the unsaturated hydrocarbon product and the CO₂ and H₂O by-products. The oxygen-depleted OTA in the form of calcium sulfide (CaS) is then sent to a regeneration air reactor where the CaS is regenerated to CaSO₄ and then fed back to the fuel reactor. Although not depicted, other sulfate salts, such as a sulfate salt of an alkali or alkaline earth metal, can be substituted for CaSO₄ as a suitable OTA in the conversion of a saturated hydrocarbon feedstock (fuel) under ODH conditions to the unsaturated hydrocarbon product. Although not depicted, sulfur trioxide (SO₃) can also be substituted for CaSO₄ as a suitable OTA in the conversion of a saturated hydrocarbon feedstock (fuel) under ODH conditions to the unsaturated hydrocarbon product. The oxygen-depleted form of the SO₃ would be a reduced product in the form of, for example, SO₂, H₂S and/or sulfur (S) which is subsequently regenerated in the air reactor back to SO₃ which is then fed back to the fuel reactor for further reaction. Although not depicted, a sulfite, bisulfite and/or metabisulfite salt, such as a sulfite, bisulfite and/or metabisulfite salt of an alkali or alkaline earth metal, can also be substituted for CaSO₄ as suitable OTAs in the conversion of a saturated hydrocarbon feedstock (fuel) under ODH conditions to the unsaturated hydrocarbon product.

FIG. 2 shows a generalized conventional reactor system similar to that of FIG. 1 but where an element selected from Group 3 to 14 of the periodic table is used in combination with CaSO₄ in the conversion of a saturated hydrocarbon feedstock under ODH reaction conditions to the unsaturated hydrocarbon product. In an improvement over the use of CaSO₄ alone as an OTA, the amount of undesired CO_(x) by-product is minimized and the amount of H₂O by-product is maximized. The Group 3 to 14 element, which is in a reduced form after the conversion, is regenerated in an air reactor along with the CaS to its original oxidized form, after which it is fed back to the fuel reactor for further reaction. Similarly to FIG. 1, other sulfate salts, SO₃ and sulfite, bisulfite and metabisulfite salts can also be substituted for CaSO₄ as suitable OTAs in the conversion of a saturated hydrocarbon feedstock (fuel) under ODH conditions to the unsaturated hydrocarbon product.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present invention includes a method of oxidatively dehydrogenating a saturated hydrocarbon feed to produce a dehydrogenated hydrocarbon product and water, the method comprising:

contacting the saturated hydrocarbon feed at the same or different times with

-   -   (a) at least one oxygen transfer agent (OTA) comprising a sulfur         oxide;     -   (b) one or more elements selected from Groups 3 to 14 of the         periodic table,     -   (c) optionally an alkali or alkaline earth metal salt that is         not the sulfur oxide of (a), and     -   (d) optionally a sulfur-containing compound that is not the         sulfur oxide of (a); and

oxidatively dehydrogenating the hydrocarbon feed under suitable reaction conditions to produce the dehydrogenated hydrocarbon product and the water.

The combination of components (a) and (b), optionally in combination with one or more of components (c) and (d), was observed to unexpectedly contribute to a high rate of conversion of the saturated hydrocarbon feed to the unsaturated hydrocarbon product while exhibiting high selectivity. Each of the components is low in cost and the OTA has a viable high temperature particle flow and fluidization in combination with low attrition. Based on these attributes, the described method satisfies the requirements for commercial viability. Each of the components (a), (b), (c) and (d) is described in more detail below.

(1) Sulfate Salts, Sulfite Salts, Bisulfite Salts, Metabisulfite Salts and Sulfur Trioxide as Sulfur Oxide Oxygen Transfer Agents

The inventor has discovered that sulfur oxides such as sulfate salts (SO₄ ²⁻), sulfite salts (SO₃ ²⁻), bisulfite salts (HSO₃ ⁻), metabisulfite salts (S₂O₅ ²⁻) and sulfur trioxide (SO₃) unexpectedly perform as effective OTAs in ODH reactions with saturated hydrocarbons to produce unsaturated hydrocarbons as depicted in reaction (3) discussed herein and satisfy the requirements for commercial viability.

In an exemplary embodiment, the sulfate salts, sulfite salts, bisulfite salts and metabisulfite salts are in the form of alkali or alkaline earth sulfate salts, sulfite salts, bisulfite salts and metabisulfite salts. In a particular embodiment, the sulfate salts are selected from the group consisting of sodium sulfate, potassium sulfate, magnesium sulfate, calcium sulfate and barium sulfate; the sulfite salts are selected from the group consisting of sodium sulfite, potassium sulfite, magnesium sulfite, calcium sulfite and barium sulfite; and the bisulfite salts are selected from the group consisting of sodium bisulfite, potassium bisulfite, magnesium bisulfite, calcium bisulfite and barium bisulfite. In another particular embodiment, the sulfate salt is calcium sulfate, the sulfite salt is calcium sulfite, the bisulfite salt is calcium bisulfite, and the metabisulfite salt is calcium metabisulfite. In yet another particular embodiment, the sulfate salt is manganese sulfate, the sulfite salt is manganese sulfite, the bisulfite salt is manganese bisulfite, and the metabisulfite salt is manganese metabisulfite.

Calcium sulfate (CaSO₄) has been found to be an effective oxygen carrier in the field of clean coal combustion via chemical looping reactors (Q. Guo et al., Chem. Eng. Comm. 199:11, 1463-1491 (2012)) and acts as an oxygen transfer agent for the combustion of coal and natural gas at temperatures in excess of 1,000° C. Compared to other commonly used metal oxides for chemical looping combustion, CaSO₄ has a high oxygen-carrying capacity as shown in Table 1.

TABLE 1 Table 1. Oxygen carrying capacity of common chemical looping OTAs OTA Fe₂O₃ NiO CuO Mn₃O₄ CoO CaSO₄ Weight % Oxygen 30 21 20 20 21 47 This oxygen-carrying capacity of calcium sulfate is effective in lowering the reactor circulation rate which benefits the overall operations and cost of the reactor system. While CaSO₄ is used for the total combustion of hydrocarbons, until the present invention, there has been no demonstration reported in the conventional art of the use of CaSO₄ as an OTA for the selective oxidation of saturated hydrocarbons as shown in reaction (3).

The OTA is present in an amount of 10 to 90%, such as 10 to 85%, such as 10 to 75%, such as 10 to 60% by weight relative to the total weight of the components (a), (b) and (c).

(2) Elements from Groups 3 to 14 of the Periodic Table

The performance of sulfate salts, sulfite salts, bisulfite salts, metabisulfite salts and SO₃ as OTAs for the selective oxidation of saturated hydrocarbons (such as in OCM and ODH reactions) was observed to be enhanced by the presence of one or more elements (typically in salt form) selected from Groups 3 to 14 of the periodic table. In an exemplary embodiment, the element is selected from the group consisting of Sc, Y, La, Ti, Zr, V, Nb, Cr, Mo, W, Mn, Fe, Ru, Co, Rh, Ni, Pd, Pt, Cu, Zn, Sn, Pb, B, Al and combinations thereof. In a particular embodiment, the element is iron (Fe). In another particular embodiment, the element is Fe in combination with another element from Groups 3 to 14 of the periodic table.

In an exemplary embodiment, the enhanced OTA composition comprises a sulfate salt and a salt containing an element selected from the group consisting of Sc, Y, La, Ti, Zr, V, Nb, Cr, Mo, W, Mn, Fe, Ru, Co, Rh, Ni, Pd, Pt, Cu, Zn, Sn, Pb, B, Al and combinations thereof. In an exemplary embodiment, the enhanced OTA composition comprises an alkali or an alkaline earth sulfate salt and a salt containing an element selected from the group consisting of Sc, Y, La, Ti, Zr, V, Nb, Cr, Mo, W, Mn, Fe, Ru, Co, Rh, Ni, Pd, Pt, Cu, Zn, Sn, Pb, B, Al and combinations thereof. In a particular embodiment, the enhanced OTA composition comprises CaSO₄ and a salt containing an element selected from the group consisting of Sc, Y, La, Ti, Zr, V, Nb, Cr, Mo, W, Mn, Fe, Ru, Co, Rh, Ni, Pd, Pt, Cu, Zn, Sn, Pb, B, Al and combinations thereof. In a particular embodiment, the enhanced OTA composition comprises a sulfate salt and a Fe salt. In a particular embodiment, the enhanced OTA composition comprises a sulfate salt, a Fe salt and a salt containing an element selected from the group consisting of Sc, Y, La, Ti, Zr, V, Nb, Cr, Mo, W, Mn, Ru, Co, Rh, Ni, Pd, Pt, Cu, Zn, Sn, Pb, B, Al and combinations thereof. In a particular embodiment, the enhanced OTA composition comprises an alkali or alkaline earth sulfate salt and a Fe salt. In a particular embodiment, the enhanced OTA composition comprises an alkali or alkaline earth sulfate salt, a Fe salt and a salt containing an element selected from the group consisting of Sc, Y, La, Ti, Zr, V, Nb, Cr, Mo, W, Mn, Ru, Co, Rh, Ni, Pd, Pt, Cu, Zn, Sn, Pb, B, Al and combinations thereof. In a particular embodiment, the enhanced OTA composition comprises CaSO₄ and a Fe salt. In a particular embodiment, the enhanced OTA composition comprises CaSO₄, a Fe salt and a salt containing an element selected from the group consisting of Sc, Y, La, Ti, Zr, V, Nb, Cr, Mo, W, Mn, Ru, Co, Rh, Ni, Pd, Pt, Cu, Zn, Sn, Pb, B, Al and combinations thereof. In an exemplary embodiment, the Fe salt is selected from the group consisting of iron chloride, iron bromide, iron sulfate, iron nitrate, iron citrate and iron phosphate. Suitable Fe salts include both ferric (³⁺) and ferrous (²⁺) oxidation states.

In an exemplary embodiment, the enhanced OTA composition consists essentially of a sulfate salt and a salt containing an element selected from the group consisting of Sc, Y, La, Ti, Zr, V, Nb, Cr, Mo, W, Mn, Fe, Ru, Co, Rh, Ni, Pd, Pt, Cu, Zn, Sn, Pb, B, Al and combinations thereof. In an exemplary embodiment, the enhanced OTA composition consists essentially of an alkali or an alkaline earth sulfate salt and a salt containing an element selected from the group consisting of Sc, Y, La, Ti, Zr, V, Nb, Cr, Mo, W, Mn, Fe, Ru, Co, Rh, Ni, Pd, Pt, Cu, Zn, Sn, Pb, B, Al and combinations thereof. In a particular embodiment, the enhanced OTA composition consists essentially of CaSO₄ and a salt containing an element selected from the group consisting of Sc, Y, La, Ti, Zr, V, Nb, Cr, Mo, W, Mn, Fe, Ru, Co, Rh, Ni, Pd, Pt, Cu, Zn, Sn, Pb, B, Al and combinations thereof. In a particular embodiment, the enhanced OTA composition consists essentially of a sulfate salt and a Fe salt. In a particular embodiment, the enhanced OTA composition consists essentially of a sulfate salt, a Fe salt and a salt containing an element selected from the group consisting of Sc, Y, La, Ti, Zr, V, Nb, Cr, Mo, W, Mn, Ru, Co, Rh, Ni, Pd, Pt, Cu, Zn, Sn, Pb, B, Al and combinations thereof. In a particular embodiment, the enhanced OTA composition consists essentially of an alkali or alkaline earth sulfate salt and a Fe salt. In a particular embodiment, the enhanced OTA composition consists essentially of an alkali or alkaline earth sulfate salt, a Fe salt and a salt containing an element selected from the group consisting of Sc, Y, La, Ti, Zr, V, Nb, Cr, Mo, W, Mn, Ru, Co, Rh, Ni, Pd, Pt, Cu, Zn, Sn, Pb, B, Al and combinations thereof. In a particular embodiment, the enhanced OTA composition consists essentially of CaSO₄ and a Fe salt. In a particular embodiment, the enhanced OTA composition consists essentially of CaSO₄, a Fe salt and a salt containing an element selected from the group consisting of Sc, Y, La, Ti, Zr, V, Nb, Cr, Mo, W, Mn, Ru, Co, Rh, Ni, Pd, Pt, Cu, Zn, Sn, Pb, B, Al and combinations thereof.

In an exemplary embodiment, the enhanced OTA composition consists of a sulfate salt and a salt containing an element selected from the group consisting of Sc, Y, La, Ti, Zr, V, Nb, Cr, Mo, W, Mn, Fe, Ru, Co, Rh, Ni, Pd, Pt, Cu, Zn, Sn, Pb, B, Al and combinations thereof. In an exemplary embodiment, the enhanced OTA composition consists of an alkali or an alkaline earth sulfate salt and a salt containing an element selected from the group consisting of Sc, Y, La, Ti, Zr, V, Nb, Cr, Mo, W, Mn, Fe, Ru, Co, Rh, Ni, Pd, Pt, Cu, Zn, Sn, Pb, B, Al and combinations thereof. In a particular embodiment, the enhanced OTA composition consists of CaSO₄ and a salt containing an element selected from the group consisting of Sc, Y, La, Ti, Zr, V, Nb, Cr, Mo, W, Mn, Fe, Ru, Co, Rh, Ni, Pd, Pt, Cu, Zn, Sn, Pb, B, Al and combinations thereof. In a particular embodiment, the enhanced OTA composition consists of a sulfate salt and a Fe salt. In a particular embodiment, the enhanced OTA composition consists of a sulfate salt, a Fe salt and a salt containing an element selected from the group consisting of Sc, Y, La, Ti, Zr, V, Nb, Cr, Mo, W, Mn, Ru, Co, Rh, Ni, Pd, Pt, Cu, Zn, Sn, Pb, B, Al and combinations thereof. In a particular embodiment, the enhanced OTA composition consists of an alkali or alkaline earth sulfate salt and a Fe salt. In a particular embodiment, the enhanced OTA composition consists of an alkali or alkaline earth sulfate salt, a Fe salt and a salt containing an element selected from the group consisting of Sc, Y, La, Ti, Zr, V, Nb, Cr, Mo, W, Mn, Ru, Co, Rh, Ni, Pd, Pt, Cu, Zn, Sn, Pb, B, Al and combinations thereof. In a particular embodiment, the enhanced OTA composition consists of CaSO₄ and a Fe salt. In a particular embodiment, the enhanced OTA composition consists of CaSO₄, a Fe salt and a salt containing an element selected from the group consisting of Sc, Y, La, Ti, Zr, V, Nb, Cr, Mo, W, Mn, Ru, Co, Rh, Ni, Pd, Pt, Cu, Zn, Sn, Pb, B, Al and combinations thereof.

In an exemplary embodiment, the enhanced OTA composition comprises a sulfite salt and a salt containing an element selected from the group consisting of Sc, Y, La, Ti, Zr, V, Nb, Cr, Mo, W, Mn, Fe, Ru, Co, Rh, Ni, Pd, Pt, Cu, Zn, Sn, Pb, B, Al and combinations thereof. In an exemplary embodiment, the enhanced OTA composition comprises an alkali or an alkaline earth sulfite salt and a salt containing an element selected from the group consisting of Sc, Y, La, Ti, Zr, V, Nb, Cr, Mo, W, Mn, Fe, Ru, Co, Rh, Ni, Pd, Pt, Cu, Zn, Sn, Pb, B, Al and combinations thereof. In a particular embodiment, the enhanced OTA composition comprises calcium sulfite (CaSO₃) and a salt containing an element selected from the group consisting of Sc, Y, La, Ti, Zr, V, Nb, Cr, Mo, W, Mn, Fe, Ru, Co, Rh, Ni, Pd, Pt, Cu, Zn, Sn, Pb, B, Al and combinations thereof. In a particular embodiment, the enhanced OTA composition comprises a sulfite salt and a Fe salt. In a particular embodiment, the enhanced OTA composition comprises a sulfite salt, a Fe salt and a salt containing an element selected from the group consisting of Sc, Y, La, Ti, Zr, V, Nb, Cr, Mo, W, Mn, Ru, Co, Rh, Ni, Pd, Pt, Cu, Zn, Sn, Pb, B, Al and combinations thereof. In a particular embodiment, the enhanced OTA composition comprises an alkali or alkaline earth sulfite salt and a Fe salt. In a particular embodiment, the enhanced OTA composition comprises an alkali or alkaline earth sulfite salt, a Fe salt and a salt containing an element selected from the group consisting of Sc, Y, La, Ti, Zr, V, Nb, Cr, Mo, W, Mn, Ru, Co, Rh, Ni, Pd, Pt, Cu, Zn, Sn, Pb, B, Al and combinations thereof. In a particular embodiment, the enhanced OTA composition comprises calcium sulfite (CaSO₃) and a Fe salt. In a particular embodiment, the enhanced OTA composition comprises calcium sulfite (CaSO₃), a Fe salt and a salt containing an element selected from the group consisting of Sc, Y, La, Ti, Zr, V, Nb, Cr, Mo, W, Mn, Ru, Co, Rh, Ni, Pd, Pt, Cu, Zn, Sn, Pb, B, Al and combinations thereof. In an exemplary embodiment, the Fe salt is selected from the group consisting of iron chloride, iron bromide, iron sulfate, iron nitrate, iron citrate and iron phosphate.

In an exemplary embodiment, the enhanced OTA composition consists essentially of a sulfite salt and a salt containing an element selected from the group consisting of Sc, Y, La, Ti, Zr, V, Nb, Cr, Mo, W, Mn, Fe, Ru, Co, Rh, Ni, Pd, Pt, Cu, Zn, Sn, Pb, B, Al and combinations thereof. In an exemplary embodiment, the enhanced OTA composition consists essentially of an alkali or an alkaline earth sulfite salt and a salt containing an element selected from the group consisting of Sc, Y, La, Ti, Zr, V, Nb, Cr, Mo, W, Mn, Fe, Ru, Co, Rh, Ni, Pd, Pt, Cu, Zn, Sn, Pb, B, Al and combinations thereof. In a particular embodiment, the enhanced OTA composition consists essentially of calcium sulfite (CaSO₃) and a salt containing an element selected from the group consisting of Sc, Y, La, Ti, Zr, V, Nb, Cr, Mo, W, Mn, Fe, Ru, Co, Rh, Ni, Pd, Pt, Cu, Zn, Sn, Pb, B, Al and combinations thereof. In a particular embodiment, the enhanced OTA composition consists essentially of a sulfite salt and a Fe salt. In a particular embodiment, the enhanced OTA composition consists essentially of a sulfite salt, a Fe salt and a salt containing an element selected from the group consisting of Sc, Y, La, Ti, Zr, V, Nb, Cr, Mo, W, Mn, Ru, Co, Rh, Ni, Pd, Pt, Cu, Zn, Sn, Pb, B, Al and combinations thereof. In a particular embodiment, the enhanced OTA composition consists essentially of an alkali or alkaline earth sulfite salt and a Fe salt. In a particular embodiment, the enhanced OTA composition consists essentially of an alkali or alkaline earth sulfite salt, a Fe salt and a salt containing an element selected from the group consisting of Sc, Y, La, Ti, Zr, V, Nb, Cr, Mo, W, Mn, Ru, Co, Rh, Ni, Pd, Pt, Cu, Zn, Sn, Pb, B, Al and combinations thereof. In a particular embodiment, the enhanced OTA composition consists essentially of calcium sulfite (CaSO₃) and a Fe salt. In a particular embodiment, the enhanced OTA composition consists essentially of calcium sulfite (CaSO₃), a Fe salt and a salt containing an element selected from the group consisting of Sc, Y, La, Ti, Zr, V, Nb, Cr, Mo, W, Mn, Ru, Co, Rh, Ni, Pd, Pt, Cu, Zn, Sn, Pb, B, Al and combinations thereof.

In an exemplary embodiment, the enhanced OTA composition consists of a sulfite salt and a salt containing an element selected from the group consisting of Sc, Y, La, Ti, Zr, V, Nb, Cr, Mo, W, Mn, Fe, Ru, Co, Rh, Ni, Pd, Pt, Cu, Zn, Sn, Pb, B, Al and combinations thereof. In an exemplary embodiment, the enhanced OTA composition consists of an alkali or an alkaline earth sulfite salt and a salt containing an element selected from the group consisting of Sc, Y, La, Ti, Zr, V, Nb, Cr, Mo, W, Mn, Fe, Ru, Co, Rh, Ni, Pd, Pt, Cu, Zn, Sn, Pb, B, Al and combinations thereof. In a particular embodiment, the enhanced OTA composition consists of calcium sulfite (CaSO₃) and a salt containing an element selected from the group consisting of Sc, Y, La, Ti, Zr, V, Nb, Cr, Mo, W, Mn, Fe, Ru, Co, Rh, Ni, Pd, Pt, Cu, Zn, Sn, Pb, B, Al and combinations thereof. In a particular embodiment, the enhanced OTA composition consists of a sulfite salt and a Fe salt. In a particular embodiment, the enhanced OTA composition consists of a sulfite salt, a Fe salt and a salt containing an element selected from the group consisting of Sc, Y, La, Ti, Zr, V, Nb, Cr, Mo, W, Mn, Ru, Co, Rh, Ni, Pd, Pt, Cu, Zn, Sn, Pb, B, Al and combinations thereof. In a particular embodiment, the enhanced OTA composition consists of an alkali or alkaline earth sulfite salt and a Fe salt. In a particular embodiment, the enhanced OTA composition consists of an alkali or alkaline earth sulfite salt, a Fe salt and a salt containing an element selected from the group consisting of Sc, Y, La, Ti, Zr, V, Nb, Cr, Mo, W, Mn, Ru, Co, Rh, Ni, Pd, Pt, Cu, Zn, Sn, Pb, B, Al and combinations thereof. In a particular embodiment, the enhanced OTA composition consists of calcium sulfite (CaSO₃) and a Fe salt. In a particular embodiment, the enhanced OTA composition consists of calcium sulfite (CaSO₃), a Fe salt and a salt containing an element selected from the group consisting of Sc, Y, La, Ti, Zr, V, Nb, Cr, Mo, W, Mn, Ru, Co, Rh, Ni, Pd, Pt, Cu, Zn, Sn, Pb, B, Al and combinations thereof.

In an exemplary embodiment, the enhanced OTA composition comprises a bisulfite salt and a salt containing an element selected from the group consisting of Sc, Y, La, Ti, Zr, V, Nb, Cr, Mo, W, Mn, Fe, Ru, Co, Rh, Ni, Pd, Pt, Cu, Zn, Sn, Pb, B, Al and combinations thereof. In an exemplary embodiment, the enhanced OTA composition comprises an alkali or an alkaline earth bisulfite salt and a salt containing an element selected from the group consisting of Sc, Y, La, Ti, Zr, V, Nb, Cr, Mo, W, Mn, Fe, Ru, Co, Rh, Ni, Pd, Pt, Cu, Zn, Sn, Pb, B, Al and combinations thereof. In a particular embodiment, the enhanced OTA composition comprises calcium bisulfite (CaS₂O₆H₂) and a salt containing an element selected from the group consisting of Sc, Y, La, Ti, Zr, V, Nb, Cr, Mo, W, Mn, Fe, Ru, Co, Rh, Ni, Pd, Pt, Cu, Zn, Sn, Pb, B, Al and combinations thereof. In a particular embodiment, the enhanced OTA composition comprises a bisulfite salt and a Fe salt. In a particular embodiment, the enhanced OTA composition comprises a bisulfite salt, a Fe salt and a salt containing an element selected from the group consisting of Sc, Y, La, Ti, Zr, V, Nb, Cr, Mo, W, Mn, Ru, Co, Rh, Ni, Pd, Pt, Cu, Zn, Sn, Pb, B, Al and combinations thereof. In a particular embodiment, the enhanced OTA composition comprises an alkali or alkaline earth bisulfite salt and a Fe salt. In a particular embodiment, the enhanced OTA composition comprises an alkali or alkaline earth bisulfite salt, a Fe salt and a salt containing an element selected from the group consisting of Sc, Y, La, Ti, Zr, V, Nb, Cr, Mo, W, Mn, Ru, Co, Rh, Ni, Pd, Pt, Cu, Zn, Sn, Pb, B, Al and combinations thereof. In a particular embodiment, the enhanced OTA composition comprises calcium bisulfite (CaS₂O₆H₂) and a Fe salt. In a particular embodiment, the enhanced OTA composition comprises calcium bisulfite (CaS₂O₆H₂), a Fe salt and a salt containing an element selected from the group consisting of Sc, Y, La, Ti, Zr, V, Nb, Cr, Mo, W, Mn, Ru, Co, Rh, Ni, Pd, Pt, Cu, Zn, Sn, Pb, B, Al and combinations thereof. In an exemplary embodiment, the Fe salt is selected from the group consisting of iron chloride, iron bromide, iron sulfate, iron nitrate, iron citrate and iron phosphate.

In an exemplary embodiment, the enhanced OTA composition consists essentially of a bisulfite salt and a salt containing an element selected from the group consisting of Sc, Y, La, Ti, Zr, V, Nb, Cr, Mo, W, Mn, Fe, Ru, Co, Rh, Ni, Pd, Pt, Cu, Zn, Sn, Pb, B, Al and combinations thereof. In an exemplary embodiment, the enhanced OTA composition consists essentially of an alkali or an alkaline earth bisulfite salt and a salt containing an element selected from the group consisting of Sc, Y, La, Ti, Zr, V, Nb, Cr, Mo, W, Mn, Fe, Ru, Co, Rh, Ni, Pd, Pt, Cu, Zn, Sn, Pb, B, Al and combinations thereof. In a particular embodiment, the enhanced OTA composition consists essentially of calcium bisulfite (CaS₂O₆H₂) and a salt containing an element selected from the group consisting of Sc, Y, La, Ti, Zr, V, Nb, Cr, Mo, W, Mn, Fe, Ru, Co, Rh, Ni, Pd, Pt, Cu, Zn, Sn, Pb, B, Al and combinations thereof. In a particular embodiment, the enhanced OTA composition consists essentially of a bisulfite salt and a Fe salt. In a particular embodiment, the enhanced OTA composition consists essentially of a bisulfite salt, a Fe salt and a salt containing an element selected from the group consisting of Sc, Y, La, Ti, Zr, V, Nb, Cr, Mo, W, Mn, Ru, Co, Rh, Ni, Pd, Pt, Cu, Zn, Sn, Pb, B, Al and combinations thereof. In a particular embodiment, the enhanced OTA composition consists essentially of an alkali or alkaline earth bisulfite salt and a Fe salt. In a particular embodiment, the enhanced OTA composition consists essentially of an alkali or alkaline earth bisulfite salt, a Fe salt and a salt containing an element selected from the group consisting of Sc, Y, La, Ti, Zr, V, Nb, Cr, Mo, W, Mn, Ru, Co, Rh, Ni, Pd, Pt, Cu, Zn, Sn, Pb, B, Al and combinations thereof. In a particular embodiment, the enhanced OTA composition consists essentially of calcium bisulfite (CaS₂O₆H₂) and a Fe salt. In a particular embodiment, the enhanced OTA composition consists essentially of calcium bisulfite (CaS₂O₆H₂), a Fe salt and a salt containing an element selected from the group consisting of Sc, Y, La, Ti, Zr, V, Nb, Cr, Mo, W, Mn, Ru, Co, Rh, Ni, Pd, Pt, Cu, Zn, Sn, Pb, B, Al and combinations thereof.

In an exemplary embodiment, the enhanced OTA composition consists of a bisulfite salt and a salt containing an element selected from the group consisting of Sc, Y, La, Ti, Zr, V, Nb, Cr, Mo, W, Mn, Fe, Ru, Co, Rh, Ni, Pd, Pt, Cu, Zn, Sn, Pb, B, Al and combinations thereof. In an exemplary embodiment, the enhanced OTA composition consists of an alkali or an alkaline earth bisulfite salt and a salt containing an element selected from the group consisting of Sc, Y, La, Ti, Zr, V, Nb, Cr, Mo, W, Mn, Fe, Ru, Co, Rh, Ni, Pd, Pt, Cu, Zn, Sn, Pb, B, Al and combinations thereof. In a particular embodiment, the enhanced OTA composition consists of calcium bisulfite (CaS₂O₆H₂) and a salt containing an element selected from the group consisting of Sc, Y, La, Ti, Zr, V, Nb, Cr, Mo, W, Mn, Fe, Ru, Co, Rh, Ni, Pd, Pt, Cu, Zn, Sn, Pb, B, Al and combinations thereof. In a particular embodiment, the enhanced OTA composition consists of a bisulfite salt and a Fe salt. In a particular embodiment, the enhanced OTA composition consists of a bisulfite salt, a Fe salt and a salt containing an element selected from the group consisting of Sc, Y, La, Ti, Zr, V, Nb, Cr, Mo, W, Mn, Ru, Co, Rh, Ni, Pd, Pt, Cu, Zn, Sn, Pb, B, Al and combinations thereof. In a particular embodiment, the enhanced OTA composition consists of an alkali or alkaline earth bisulfite salt and a Fe salt. In a particular embodiment, the enhanced OTA composition consists of an alkali or alkaline earth bisulfite salt, a Fe salt and a salt containing an element selected from the group consisting of Sc, Y, La, Ti, Zr, V, Nb, Cr, Mo, W, Mn, Ru, Co, Rh, Ni, Pd, Pt, Cu, Zn, Sn, Pb, B, Al and combinations thereof. In a particular embodiment, the enhanced OTA composition consists of calcium bisulfite (CaS₂O₆H₂) and a Fe salt. In a particular embodiment, the enhanced OTA composition consists of calcium bisulfite (CaS₂O₆H₂), a Fe salt and a salt containing an element selected from the group consisting of Sc, Y, La, Ti, Zr, V, Nb, Cr, Mo, W, Mn, Ru, Co, Rh, Ni, Pd, Pt, Cu, Zn, Sn, Pb, B, Al and combinations thereof.

In an exemplary embodiment, the enhanced OTA composition comprises a metabisulfite salt and a salt containing an element selected from the group consisting of Sc, Y, La, Ti, Zr, V, Nb, Cr, Mo, W, Mn, Fe, Ru, Co, Rh, Ni, Pd, Pt, Cu, Zn, Sn, Pb, B, Al and combinations thereof. In an exemplary embodiment, the enhanced OTA composition comprises an alkali or an alkaline earth metabisulfite salt and a salt containing an element selected from the group consisting of Sc, Y, La, Ti, Zr, V, Nb, Cr, Mo, W, Mn, Fe, Ru, Co, Rh, Ni, Pd, Pt, Cu, Zn, Sn, Pb, B, Al and combinations thereof. In a particular embodiment, the enhanced OTA composition comprises calcium metabisulfite (CaS₂O₅) and a salt containing an element selected from the group consisting of Sc, Y, La, Ti, Zr, V, Nb, Cr, Mo, W, Mn, Fe, Ru, Co, Rh, Ni, Pd, Pt, Cu, Zn, Sn, Pb, B, Al and combinations thereof. In a particular embodiment, the enhanced OTA composition comprises a metabisulfite salt and a Fe salt. In a particular embodiment, the enhanced OTA composition comprises a metabisulfite salt, a Fe salt and a salt containing an element selected from the group consisting of Sc, Y, La, Ti, Zr, V, Nb, Cr, Mo, W, Mn, Ru, Co, Rh, Ni, Pd, Pt, Cu, Zn, Sn, Pb, B, Al and combinations thereof. In a particular embodiment, the enhanced OTA composition comprises an alkali or alkaline earth metabisulfite salt and a Fe salt. In a particular embodiment, the enhanced OTA composition comprises an alkali or alkaline earth metabisulfite salt, a Fe salt and a salt containing an element selected from the group consisting of Sc, Y, La, Ti, Zr, V, Nb, Cr, Mo, W, Mn, Ru, Co, Rh, Ni, Pd, Pt, Cu, Zn, Sn, Pb, B, Al and combinations thereof. In a particular embodiment, the enhanced OTA composition comprises calcium metabisulfite (CaS₂O₅) and a Fe salt. In a particular embodiment, the enhanced OTA composition comprises calcium metabisulfite (CaS₂O₅), a Fe salt and a salt containing an element selected from the group consisting of Sc, Y, La, Ti, Zr, V, Nb, Cr, Mo, W, Mn, Ru, Co, Rh, Ni, Pd, Pt, Cu, Zn, Sn, Pb, B, Al and combinations thereof. In an exemplary embodiment, the Fe salt is selected from the group consisting of iron chloride, iron bromide, iron sulfate, iron nitrate, iron citrate and iron phosphate.

In an exemplary embodiment, the enhanced OTA composition consists essentially of a metabisulfite salt and a salt containing an element selected from the group consisting of Sc, Y, La, Ti, Zr, V, Nb, Cr, Mo, W, Mn, Fe, Ru, Co, Rh, Ni, Pd, Pt, Cu, Zn, Sn, Pb, B, Al and combinations thereof. In an exemplary embodiment, the enhanced OTA composition consists essentially of an alkali or an alkaline earth metabisulfite salt and a salt containing an element selected from the group consisting of Sc, Y, La, Ti, Zr, V, Nb, Cr, Mo, W, Mn, Fe, Ru, Co, Rh, Ni, Pd, Pt, Cu, Zn, Sn, Pb, B, Al and combinations thereof. In a particular embodiment, the enhanced OTA composition consists essentially of calcium metabisulfite (CaS₂O₅) and a salt containing an element selected from the group consisting of Sc, Y, La, Ti, Zr, V, Nb, Cr, Mo, W, Mn, Fe, Ru, Co, Rh, Ni, Pd, Pt, Cu, Zn, Sn, Pb, B, Al and combinations thereof. In a particular embodiment, the enhanced OTA composition consists essentially of a metabisulfite salt and a Fe salt. In a particular embodiment, the enhanced OTA composition consists essentially of a metabisulfite salt, a Fe salt and a salt containing an element selected from the group consisting of Sc, Y, La, Ti, Zr, V, Nb, Cr, Mo, W, Mn, Ru, Co, Rh, Ni, Pd, Pt, Cu, Zn, Sn, Pb, B, Al and combinations thereof. In a particular embodiment, the enhanced OTA composition consists essentially of an alkali or alkaline earth metabisulfite salt and a Fe salt. In a particular embodiment, the enhanced OTA composition consists essentially of an alkali or alkaline earth metabisulfite salt, a Fe salt and a salt containing an element selected from the group consisting of Sc, Y, La, Ti, Zr, V, Nb, Cr, Mo, W, Mn, Ru, Co, Rh, Ni, Pd, Pt, Cu, Zn, Sn, Pb, B, Al and combinations thereof. In a particular embodiment, the enhanced OTA composition consists essentially of calcium metabisulfite (CaS₂O₅) and a Fe salt. In a particular embodiment, the enhanced OTA composition consists essentially of calcium metabisulfite (CaS₂O₅), a Fe salt and a salt containing an element selected from the group consisting of Sc, Y, La, Ti, Zr, V, Nb, Cr, Mo, W, Mn, Ru, Co, Rh, Ni, Pd, Pt, Cu, Zn, Sn, Pb, B, Al and combinations thereof.

In an exemplary embodiment, the enhanced OTA composition consists of a metabisulfite salt and a salt containing an element selected from the group consisting of Sc, Y, La, Ti, Zr, V, Nb, Cr, Mo, W, Mn, Fe, Ru, Co, Rh, Ni, Pd, Pt, Cu, Zn, Sn, Pb, B, Al and combinations thereof. In an exemplary embodiment, the enhanced OTA composition consists of an alkali or an alkaline earth metabisulfite salt and a salt containing an element selected from the group consisting of Sc, Y, La, Ti, Zr, V, Nb, Cr, Mo, W, Mn, Fe, Ru, Co, Rh, Ni, Pd, Pt, Cu, Zn, Sn, Pb, B, Al and combinations thereof. In a particular embodiment, the enhanced OTA composition consists of calcium metabisulfite (CaS₂O₅) and a salt containing an element selected from the group consisting of Sc, Y, La, Ti, Zr, V, Nb, Cr, Mo, W, Mn, Fe, Ru, Co, Rh, Ni, Pd, Pt, Cu, Zn, Sn, Pb, B, Al and combinations thereof. In a particular embodiment, the enhanced OTA composition consists of a metabisulfite salt and a Fe salt. In a particular embodiment, the enhanced OTA composition consists of a metabisulfite salt, a Fe salt and a salt containing an element selected from the group consisting of Sc, Y, La, Ti, Zr, V, Nb, Cr, Mo, W, Mn, Ru, Co, Rh, Ni, Pd, Pt, Cu, Zn, Sn, Pb, B, Al and combinations thereof. In a particular embodiment, the enhanced OTA composition consists of an alkali or alkaline earth metabisulfite salt and a Fe salt. In a particular embodiment, the enhanced OTA composition consists of an alkali or alkaline earth metabisulfite salt, a Fe salt and a salt containing an element selected from the group consisting of Sc, Y, La, Ti, Zr, V, Nb, Cr, Mo, W, Mn, Ru, Co, Rh, Ni, Pd, Pt, Cu, Zn, Sn, Pb, B, Al and combinations thereof. In a particular embodiment, the enhanced OTA composition consists of calcium metabisulfite (CaS₂O₅) and a Fe salt. In a particular embodiment, the enhanced OTA composition consists of calcium metabisulfite (CaS₂O₅), a Fe salt and a salt containing an element selected from the group consisting of Sc, Y, La, Ti, Zr, V, Nb, Cr, Mo, W, Mn, Ru, Co, Rh, Ni, Pd, Pt, Cu, Zn, Sn, Pb, B, Al and combinations thereof.

In an exemplary embodiment, the enhanced OTA composition comprises SO₃ and a salt containing an element selected from the group consisting of Sc, Y, La, Ti, Zr, V, Nb, Cr, Mo, W, Mn, Fe, Ru, Co, Rh, Ni, Pd, Pt, Cu, Zn, Sn, Pb, B, Al and combinations thereof. In a particular embodiment, the enhanced OTA composition comprises SO₃ and a Fe salt. In a particular embodiment, the enhanced OTA composition comprises SO₃, a Fe salt and a salt containing an element selected from the group consisting of Sc, Y, La, Ti, Zr, V, Nb, Cr, Mo, W, Mn, Ru, Co, Rh, Ni, Pd, Pt, Cu, Zn, Sn, Pb, B, Al and combinations thereof.

In an exemplary embodiment, the enhanced OTA composition consists essentially of SO₃ and a salt containing an element selected from the group consisting of Sc, Y, La, Ti, Zr, V, Nb, Cr, Mo, W, Mn, Fe, Ru, Co, Rh, Ni, Pd, Pt, Cu, Zn, Sn, Pb, B, Al and combinations thereof. In a particular embodiment, the enhanced OTA composition consists essentially of SO₃ and a Fe salt. In a particular embodiment, the enhanced OTA composition consists essentially of a SO₃, a Fe salt and a salt containing an element selected from the group consisting of Sc, Y, La, Ti, Zr, V, Nb, Cr, Mo, W, Mn, Ru, Co, Rh, Ni, Pd, Pt, Cu, Zn, Sn, Pb, B, Al and combinations thereof.

In an exemplary embodiment, the enhanced OTA composition consists of SO₃ and a salt containing an element selected from the group consisting of Sc, Y, La, Ti, Zr, V, Nb, Cr, Mo, W, Mn, Fe, Ru, Co, Rh, Ni, Pd, Pt, Cu, Zn, Sn, Pb, B, Al and combinations thereof. In a particular embodiment, the enhanced OTA composition consists of SO₃ and a Fe salt. In a particular embodiment, the enhanced OTA composition consists of SO₃, a Fe salt and a salt containing an element selected from the group consisting of Sc, Y, La, Ti, Zr, V, Nb, Cr, Mo, W, Mn, Ru, Co, Rh, Ni, Pd, Pt, Cu, Zn, Sn, Pb, B, Al and combinations thereof.

The one or more elements from Groups 3 to 14 of the periodic table are present in an amount of 0.10 to 90%, such as 1 to 85%, such as 5 to 75%, such as 10 to 70%, such as 10 to 65%, such as 10 to 60%, such as 10 to 60% by weight relative to the total weight of the components (a), (b) and (c).

(3) Alkali or Alkaline Earth Salts

The performance of sulfate salts, sulfite salts, bisulfite salts, metabisulfite salts and SO₃ as OTAs for the selective oxidation of saturated hydrocarbons (such as in OCM and ODH reactions) was observed to frequently be enhanced by the presence of one or more alkali or alkaline earth metals. In an exemplary embodiment, the alkali metal is selected from the group consisting of Li, Na, K and combinations thereof, and the alkaline earth metal is selected from the group consisting of Mg, Ca, Ba and combinations thereof. In a particular embodiment, the OTA is an alkaline earth sulfate salt and the enhancing alkali or alkaline earth salt is an alkali salt. In a particular embodiment, the OTA is an alkaline earth sulfite salt and the enhancing alkali or alkaline earth salt is an alkali salt. In a particular embodiment, the OTA is an alkaline earth bisulfite salt and the enhancing alkali or alkaline earth salt is an alkali salt. In a particular embodiment, the OTA is an alkaline earth metabisulfite salt and the enhancing alkali or alkaline earth salt is an alkali salt.

In an exemplary embodiment, the enhanced OTA composition comprises a sulfate salt; a salt containing an element selected from the group consisting of Sc, Y, La, Ti, Zr, V, Nb, Cr, Mo, W, Mn, Fe, Ru, Co, Rh, Ni, Pd, Pt, Cu, Zn, Sn, Pb, B, Al and combinations thereof; and an alkali or alkaline earth metal salt that is not the sulfate salt. In an exemplary embodiment, the enhanced OTA composition comprises an alkali or an alkaline earth sulfate salt; a salt containing an element selected from the group consisting of Sc, Y, La, Ti, Zr, V, Nb, Cr, Mo, W, Mn, Fe, Ru, Co, Rh, Ni, Pd, Pt, Cu, Zn, Sn, Pb, B, Al and combinations thereof; and an alkali or alkaline earth metal salt that is not the alkali or alkaline earth sulfate salt. In a particular embodiment, the enhanced OTA composition comprises CaSO₄; a salt containing an element selected from the group consisting of Sc, Y, La, Ti, Zr, V, Nb, Cr, Mo, W, Mn, Fe, Ru, Co, Rh, Ni, Pd, Pt, Cu, Zn, Sn, Pb, B, Al and combinations thereof; and an alkali metal salt or an alkaline earth metal salt that is not CaSO₄. In a particular embodiment, the enhanced OTA composition comprises a sulfate salt; a Fe salt; and an alkali or alkaline earth metal salt that is not the sulfate salt. In a particular embodiment, the enhanced OTA composition comprises a sulfate salt, a Fe salt; a salt containing an element selected from the group consisting of Sc, Y, La, Ti, Zr, V, Nb, Cr, Mo, W, Mn, Ru, Co, Rh, Ni, Pd, Pt, Cu, Zn, Sn, Pb, B, Al and combinations thereof; and an alkali or alkaline earth metal salt that is not the sulfate salt. In a particular embodiment, the enhanced OTA composition comprises an alkali or alkaline earth sulfate salt; a Fe salt; and an alkali or alkaline earth metal salt that is not the alkali or alkaline earth sulfate salt. In a particular embodiment, the enhanced OTA composition comprises an alkali or alkaline earth sulfate salt, a Fe salt; a salt containing an element selected from the group consisting of Sc, Y, La, Ti, Zr, V, Nb, Cr, Mo, W, Mn, Ru, Co, Rh, Ni, Pd, Pt, Cu, Zn, Sn, Pb, B, Al and combinations thereof; and an alkali or alkaline earth metal salt that is not the alkali or alkaline earth sulfate salt. In a particular embodiment, the enhanced OTA composition comprises CaSO₄; a Fe salt; and an alkali or alkaline earth metal salt that is not CaSO₄. In a particular embodiment, the enhanced OTA composition comprises CaSO₄; a Fe salt; a salt containing an element selected from the group consisting of Sc, Y, La, Ti, Zr, V, Nb, Cr, Mo, W, Mn, Ru, Co, Rh, Ni, Pd, Pt, Cu, Zn, Sn, Pb, B, Al and combinations thereof; and an alkali or alkaline earth metal salt that is not CaSO₄.

In an exemplary embodiment, the enhanced OTA composition consists essentially of a sulfate salt; a salt containing an element selected from the group consisting of Sc, Y, La, Ti, Zr, V, Nb, Cr, Mo, W, Mn, Fe, Ru, Co, Rh, Ni, Pd, Pt, Cu, Zn, Sn, Pb, B, Al and combinations thereof; and an alkali or alkaline earth metal salt that is not the sulfate salt. In an exemplary embodiment, the enhanced OTA composition consists essentially of an alkali or an alkaline earth sulfate salt; a salt containing an element selected from the group consisting of Sc, Y, La, Ti, Zr, V, Nb, Cr, Mo, W, Mn, Fe, Ru, Co, Rh, Ni, Pd, Pt, Cu, Zn, Sn, Pb, B, Al and combinations thereof; and an alkali or alkaline earth metal salt that is not the alkali or alkaline earth sulfate salt. In a particular embodiment, the enhanced OTA composition consists essentially of CaSO₄; a salt containing an element selected from the group consisting of Sc, Y, La, Ti, Zr, V, Nb, Cr, Mo, W, Mn, Fe, Ru, Co, Rh, Ni, Pd, Pt, Cu, Zn, Sn, Pb, B, Al and combinations thereof; and an alkali metal salt or an alkaline earth metal salt that is not CaSO₄. In a particular embodiment, the enhanced OTA composition consists essentially of a sulfate salt; a Fe salt; and an alkali or alkaline earth metal salt that is not the sulfate salt. In a particular embodiment, the enhanced OTA composition consists essentially of a sulfate salt, a Fe salt; a salt containing an element selected from the group consisting of Sc, Y, La, Ti, Zr, V, Nb, Cr, Mo, W, Mn, Ru, Co, Rh, Ni, Pd, Pt, Cu, Zn, Sn, Pb, B, Al and combinations thereof; and an alkali or alkaline earth metal salt that is not the sulfate salt. In a particular embodiment, the enhanced OTA composition consists essentially of an alkali or alkaline earth sulfate salt; a Fe salt; and an alkali or alkaline earth metal salt that is not the alkali or alkaline earth sulfate salt. In a particular embodiment, the enhanced OTA composition consists essentially of an alkali or alkaline earth sulfate salt, a Fe salt; a salt containing an element selected from the group consisting of Sc, Y, La, Ti, Zr, V, Nb, Cr, Mo, W, Mn, Ru, Co, Rh, Ni, Pd, Pt, Cu, Zn, Sn, Pb, B, Al and combinations thereof; and an alkali or alkaline earth metal salt that is not the alkali or alkaline earth sulfate salt. In a particular embodiment, the enhanced OTA composition consists essentially of CaSO₄; a Fe salt; and an alkali or alkaline earth metal salt that is not CaSO₄. In a particular embodiment, the enhanced OTA composition consists essentially of CaSO₄; a Fe salt; a salt containing an element selected from the group consisting of Sc, Y, La, Ti, Zr, V, Nb, Cr, Mo, W, Mn, Ru, Co, Rh, Ni, Pd, Pt, Cu, Zn, Sn, Pb, B, Al and combinations thereof; and an alkali or alkaline earth metal salt that is not CaSO₄.

In an exemplary embodiment, the enhanced OTA composition consists of a sulfate salt; a salt containing an element selected from the group consisting of Sc, Y, La, Ti, Zr, V, Nb, Cr, Mo, W, Mn, Fe, Ru, Co, Rh, Ni, Pd, Pt, Cu, Zn, Sn, Pb, B, Al and combinations thereof; and an alkali or alkaline earth metal salt that is not the sulfate salt. In an exemplary embodiment, the enhanced OTA composition consists of an alkali or an alkaline earth sulfate salt; a salt containing an element selected from the group consisting of Sc, Y, La, Ti, Zr, V, Nb, Cr, Mo, W, Mn, Fe, Ru, Co, Rh, Ni, Pd, Pt, Cu, Zn, Sn, Pb, B, Al and combinations thereof; and an alkali or alkaline earth metal salt that is not the alkali or alkaline earth metal sulfate salt. In a particular embodiment, the enhanced OTA composition consists of CaSO₄; a salt containing an element selected from the group consisting of Sc, Y, La, Ti, Zr, V, Nb, Cr, Mo, W, Mn, Fe, Ru, Co, Rh, Ni, Pd, Pt, Cu, Zn, Sn, Pb, B, Al and combinations thereof; and an alkali metal salt or an alkaline earth metal salt that is not CaSO₄. In a particular embodiment, the enhanced OTA composition consists of a sulfate salt; a Fe salt; and an alkali or alkaline earth metal salt that is not the sulfate salt. In a particular embodiment, the enhanced OTA composition consists of a sulfate salt, a Fe salt; a salt containing an element selected from the group consisting of Sc, Y, La, Ti, Zr, V, Nb, Cr, Mo, W, Mn, Ru, Co, Rh, Ni, Pd, Pt, Cu, Zn, Sn, Pb, B, Al and combinations thereof; and an alkali or alkaline earth metal salt that is not the sulfate salt. In a particular embodiment, the enhanced OTA composition consists of an alkali or alkaline earth sulfate salt; a Fe salt; and an alkali or alkaline earth metal salt that is not the alkali or alkaline earth metal sulfate salt. In a particular embodiment, the enhanced OTA composition consists of an alkali or alkaline earth sulfate salt, a Fe salt; a salt containing an element selected from the group consisting of Sc, Y, La, Ti, Zr, V, Nb, Cr, Mo, W, Mn, Ru, Co, Rh, Ni, Pd, Pt, Cu, Zn, Sn, Pb, B, Al and combinations thereof; and an alkali or alkaline earth metal salt that is not the alkali or alkaline earth metal sulfate salt. In a particular embodiment, the enhanced OTA composition consists of CaSO₄; a Fe salt; and an alkali or alkaline earth metal salt that is not CaSO₄. In a particular embodiment, the enhanced OTA composition consists of CaSO₄; a Fe salt; a salt containing an element selected from the group consisting of Sc, Y, La, Ti, Zr, V, Nb, Cr, Mo, W, Mn, Ru, Co, Rh, Ni, Pd, Pt, Cu, Zn, Sn, Pb, B, Al and combinations thereof; and an alkali or alkaline earth metal salt that is not CaSO₄.

In an exemplary embodiment, the enhanced OTA composition comprises a sulfite salt; a salt containing an element selected from the group consisting of Sc, Y, La, Ti, Zr, V, Nb, Cr, Mo, W, Mn, Fe, Ru, Co, Rh, Ni, Pd, Pt, Cu, Zn, Sn, Pb, B, Al and combinations thereof; and an alkali or alkaline earth metal salt that is not the sulfite salt. In an exemplary embodiment, the enhanced OTA composition comprises an alkali or an alkaline earth sulfite salt; a salt containing an element selected from the group consisting of Sc, Y, La, Ti, Zr, V, Nb, Cr, Mo, W, Mn, Fe, Ru, Co, Rh, Ni, Pd, Pt, Cu, Zn, Sn, Pb, B, Al and combinations thereof; and an alkali or alkaline earth metal salt that is not the alkali or alkaline earth sulfite salt. In a particular embodiment, the enhanced OTA composition comprises calcium sulfite (CaSO₃); a salt containing an element selected from the group consisting of Sc, Y, La, Ti, Zr, V, Nb, Cr, Mo, W, Mn, Fe, Ru, Co, Rh, Ni, Pd, Pt, Cu, Zn, Sn, Pb, B, Al and combinations thereof; and an alkali metal salt or an alkaline earth metal salt that is not calcium sulfite (CaSO₃). In a particular embodiment, the enhanced OTA composition comprises a sulfite salt; a Fe salt; and an alkali or alkaline earth metal salt that is not the sulfite salt. In a particular embodiment, the enhanced OTA composition comprises a sulfite salt, a Fe salt; a salt containing an element selected from the group consisting of Sc, Y, La, Ti, Zr, V, Nb, Cr, Mo, W, Mn, Ru, Co, Rh, Ni, Pd, Pt, Cu, Zn, Sn, Pb, B, Al and combinations thereof; and an alkali or alkaline earth metal salt that is not the sulfite salt. In a particular embodiment, the enhanced OTA composition comprises an alkali or alkaline earth sulfite salt; a Fe salt; and an alkali or alkaline earth metal salt that is not the alkali or alkaline earth sulfite salt. In a particular embodiment, the enhanced OTA composition comprises an alkali or alkaline earth sulfite salt, a Fe salt; a salt containing an element selected from the group consisting of Sc, Y, La, Ti, Zr, V, Nb, Cr, Mo, W, Mn, Ru, Co, Rh, Ni, Pd, Pt, Cu, Zn, Sn, Pb, B, Al and combinations thereof; and an alkali or alkaline earth metal salt that is not the alkali or alkaline earth sulfite salt. In a particular embodiment, the enhanced OTA composition comprises calcium sulfite (CaSO₃); a Fe salt; and an alkali or alkaline earth metal salt that is not calcium sulfite (CaSO₃). In a particular embodiment, the enhanced OTA composition comprises calcium sulfite (CaSO₃); a Fe salt; a salt containing an element selected from the group consisting of Sc, Y, La, Ti, Zr, V, Nb, Cr, Mo, W, Mn, Ru, Co, Rh, Ni, Pd, Pt, Cu, Zn, Sn, Pb, B, Al and combinations thereof; and an alkali or alkaline earth metal salt that is not calcium sulfite (CaSO₃).

In an exemplary embodiment, the enhanced OTA composition consists essentially of a sulfite salt; a salt containing an element selected from the group consisting of Sc, Y, La, Ti, Zr, V, Nb, Cr, Mo, W, Mn, Fe, Ru, Co, Rh, Ni, Pd, Pt, Cu, Zn, Sn, Pb, B, Al and combinations thereof; and an alkali or alkaline earth metal salt that is not the sulfite salt. In an exemplary embodiment, the enhanced OTA composition consists essentially of an alkali or an alkaline earth sulfite salt; a salt containing an element selected from the group consisting of Sc, Y, La, Ti, Zr, V, Nb, Cr, Mo, W, Mn, Fe, Ru, Co, Rh, Ni, Pd, Pt, Cu, Zn, Sn, Pb, B, Al and combinations thereof; and an alkali or alkaline earth metal salt that is not the alkali or alkaline earth sulfite salt. In a particular embodiment, the enhanced OTA composition consists essentially of calcium sulfite (CaSO₃); a salt containing an element selected from the group consisting of Sc, Y, La, Ti, Zr, V, Nb, Cr, Mo, W, Mn, Fe, Ru, Co, Rh, Ni, Pd, Pt, Cu, Zn, Sn, Pb, B, Al and combinations thereof; and an alkali metal salt or an alkaline earth metal salt that is not calcium sulfite (CaSO₃). In a particular embodiment, the enhanced OTA composition consists essentially of a sulfite salt; a Fe salt; and an alkali or alkaline earth metal salt that is not the sulfite salt. In a particular embodiment, the enhanced OTA composition consists essentially of a sulfite salt, a Fe salt; a salt containing an element selected from the group consisting of Sc, Y, La, Ti, Zr, V, Nb, Cr, Mo, W, Mn, Ru, Co, Rh, Ni, Pd, Pt, Cu, Zn, Sn, Pb, B, Al and combinations thereof; and an alkali or alkaline earth metal salt that is not the sulfite salt. In a particular embodiment, the enhanced OTA composition consists essentially of an alkali or alkaline earth sulfite salt; a Fe salt; and an alkali or alkaline earth metal salt that is not the alkali or alkaline earth sulfite salt. In a particular embodiment, the enhanced OTA composition consists essentially of an alkali or alkaline earth sulfite salt, a Fe salt; a salt containing an element selected from the group consisting of Sc, Y, La, Ti, Zr, V, Nb, Cr, Mo, W, Mn, Ru, Co, Rh, Ni, Pd, Pt, Cu, Zn, Sn, Pb, B, Al and combinations thereof; and an alkali or alkaline earth metal salt that is not the alkali or alkaline earth sulfite salt. In a particular embodiment, the enhanced OTA composition consists essentially of calcium sulfite (CaSO₃); a Fe salt; and an alkali or alkaline earth metal salt that is not calcium sulfite (CaSO₃). In a particular embodiment, the enhanced OTA composition consists essentially of calcium sulfite (CaSO₃); a Fe salt; a salt containing an element selected from the group consisting of Sc, Y, La, Ti, Zr, V, Nb, Cr, Mo, W, Mn, Ru, Co, Rh, Ni, Pd, Pt, Cu, Zn, Sn, Pb, B, Al and combinations thereof; and an alkali or alkaline earth metal salt that is not calcium sulfite (CaSO₃).

In an exemplary embodiment, the enhanced OTA composition consists of a sulfite salt; a salt containing an element selected from the group consisting of Sc, Y, La, Ti, Zr, V, Nb, Cr, Mo, W, Mn, Fe, Ru, Co, Rh, Ni, Pd, Pt, Cu, Zn, Sn, Pb, B, Al and combinations thereof; and an alkali or alkaline earth metal salt that is not the sulfite salt. In an exemplary embodiment, the enhanced OTA composition consists of an alkali or an alkaline earth sulfite salt; a salt containing an element selected from the group consisting of Sc, Y, La, Ti, Zr, V, Nb, Cr, Mo, W, Mn, Fe, Ru, Co, Rh, Ni, Pd, Pt, Cu, Zn, Sn, Pb, B, Al and combinations thereof; and an alkali or alkaline earth metal salt that is not the alkali or alkaline earth metal sulfite salt. In a particular embodiment, the enhanced OTA composition consists of calcium sulfite (CaSO₃); a salt containing an element selected from the group consisting of Sc, Y, La, Ti, Zr, V, Nb, Cr, Mo, W, Mn, Fe, Ru, Co, Rh, Ni, Pd, Pt, Cu, Zn, Sn, Pb, B, Al and combinations thereof; and an alkali metal salt or an alkaline earth metal salt that is not calcium sulfite (CaSO₃). In a particular embodiment, the enhanced OTA composition consists of a sulfite salt; a Fe salt; and an alkali or alkaline earth metal salt that is not the sulfite salt. In a particular embodiment, the enhanced OTA composition consists of a sulfite salt, a Fe salt; a salt containing an element selected from the group consisting of Sc, Y, La, Ti, Zr, V, Nb, Cr, Mo, W, Mn, Ru, Co, Rh, Ni, Pd, Pt, Cu, Zn, Sn, Pb, B, Al and combinations thereof; and an alkali or alkaline earth metal salt that is not the sulfite salt. In a particular embodiment, the enhanced OTA composition consists of an alkali or alkaline earth sulfite salt; a Fe salt; and an alkali or alkaline earth metal salt that is not the alkali or alkaline earth metal sulfite salt. In a particular embodiment, the enhanced OTA composition consists of an alkali or alkaline earth sulfite salt, a Fe salt; a salt containing an element selected from the group consisting of Sc, Y, La, Ti, Zr, V, Nb, Cr, Mo, W, Mn, Ru, Co, Rh, Ni, Pd, Pt, Cu, Zn, Sn, Pb, B, Al and combinations thereof; and an alkali or alkaline earth metal salt that is not the alkali or alkaline earth metal sulfite salt. In a particular embodiment, the enhanced OTA composition consists of calcium sulfite (CaSO₃); a Fe salt; and an alkali or alkaline earth metal salt that is not calcium sulfite (CaSO₃). In a particular embodiment, the enhanced OTA composition consists of calcium sulfite (CaSO₃); a Fe salt; a salt containing an element selected from the group consisting of Sc, Y, La, Ti, Zr, V, Nb, Cr, Mo, W, Mn, Ru, Co, Rh, Ni, Pd, Pt, Cu, Zn, Sn, Pb, B, Al and combinations thereof; and an alkali or alkaline earth metal salt that is not calcium sulfite (CaSO₃).

In an exemplary embodiment, the enhanced OTA composition comprises a bisulfite salt; a salt containing an element selected from the group consisting of Sc, Y, La, Ti, Zr, V, Nb, Cr, Mo, W, Mn, Fe, Ru, Co, Rh, Ni, Pd, Pt, Cu, Zn, Sn, Pb, B, Al and combinations thereof; and an alkali or alkaline earth metal salt that is not the bisulfite salt. In an exemplary embodiment, the enhanced OTA composition comprises an alkali or an alkaline earth bisulfite salt; a salt containing an element selected from the group consisting of Sc, Y, La, Ti, Zr, V, Nb, Cr, Mo, W, Mn, Fe, Ru, Co, Rh, Ni, Pd, Pt, Cu, Zn, Sn, Pb, B, Al and combinations thereof; and an alkali or alkaline earth metal salt that is not the alkali or alkaline earth bisulfite salt. In a particular embodiment, the enhanced OTA composition comprises calcium bisulfite (CaS₂O₆H₂); a salt containing an element selected from the group consisting of Sc, Y, La, Ti, Zr, V, Nb, Cr, Mo, W, Mn, Fe, Ru, Co, Rh, Ni, Pd, Pt, Cu, Zn, Sn, Pb, B, Al and combinations thereof; and an alkali metal salt or an alkaline earth metal salt that is not calcium bisulfite (CaS₂O₆H₂). In a particular embodiment, the enhanced OTA composition comprises a bisulfite salt; a Fe salt; and an alkali or alkaline earth metal salt that is not the bisulfite salt. In a particular embodiment, the enhanced OTA composition comprises a bisulfite salt, a Fe salt; a salt containing an element selected from the group consisting of Sc, Y, La, Ti, Zr, V, Nb, Cr, Mo, W, Mn, Ru, Co, Rh, Ni, Pd, Pt, Cu, Zn, Sn, Pb, B, Al and combinations thereof; and an alkali or alkaline earth metal salt that is not the bisulfite salt. In a particular embodiment, the enhanced OTA composition comprises an alkali or alkaline earth bisulfite salt; a Fe salt; and an alkali or alkaline earth metal salt that is not the alkali or alkaline earth bisulfite salt. In a particular embodiment, the enhanced OTA composition comprises an alkali or alkaline earth bisulfite salt, a Fe salt; a salt containing an element selected from the group consisting of Sc, Y, La, Ti, Zr, V, Nb, Cr, Mo, W, Mn, Ru, Co, Rh, Ni, Pd, Pt, Cu, Zn, Sn, Pb, B, Al and combinations thereof; and an alkali or alkaline earth metal salt that is not the alkali or alkaline earth bisulfite salt. In a particular embodiment, the enhanced OTA composition comprises calcium bisulfite (CaS₂O₆H₂); a Fe salt; and an alkali or alkaline earth metal salt that is not calcium bisulfite (CaS₂O₆H₂). In a particular embodiment, the enhanced OTA composition comprises calcium bisulfite (CaS₂O₆H₂); a Fe salt; a salt containing an element selected from the group consisting of Sc, Y, La, Ti, Zr, V, Nb, Cr, Mo, W, Mn, Ru, Co, Rh, Ni, Pd, Pt, Cu, Zn, Sn, Pb, B, Al and combinations thereof; and an alkali or alkaline earth metal salt that is not calcium bisulfite (CaS₂O₆H₂).

In an exemplary embodiment, the enhanced OTA composition consists essentially of a bisulfite salt; a salt containing an element selected from the group consisting of Sc, Y, La, Ti, Zr, V, Nb, Cr, Mo, W, Mn, Fe, Ru, Co, Rh, Ni, Pd, Pt, Cu, Zn, Sn, Pb, B, Al and combinations thereof; and an alkali or alkaline earth metal salt that is not the bisulfite salt. In an exemplary embodiment, the enhanced OTA composition consists essentially of an alkali or an alkaline earth bisulfite salt; a salt containing an element selected from the group consisting of Sc, Y, La, Ti, Zr, V, Nb, Cr, Mo, W, Mn, Fe, Ru, Co, Rh, Ni, Pd, Pt, Cu, Zn, Sn, Pb, B, Al and combinations thereof; and an alkali or alkaline earth metal salt that is not the alkali or alkaline earth bisulfite salt. In a particular embodiment, the enhanced OTA composition consists essentially of calcium bisulfite (CaS₂O₆H₂); a salt containing an element selected from the group consisting of Sc, Y, La, Ti, Zr, V, Nb, Cr, Mo, W, Mn, Fe, Ru, Co, Rh, Ni, Pd, Pt, Cu, Zn, Sn, Pb, B, Al and combinations thereof; and an alkali metal salt or an alkaline earth metal salt that is not calcium bisulfite (CaS₂O₆H₂). In a particular embodiment, the enhanced OTA composition consists essentially of a bisulfite salt; a Fe salt; and an alkali or alkaline earth metal salt that is not the bisulfite salt. In a particular embodiment, the enhanced OTA composition consists essentially of a bisulfite salt, a Fe salt; a salt containing an element selected from the group consisting of Sc, Y, La, Ti, Zr, V, Nb, Cr, Mo, W, Mn, Ru, Co, Rh, Ni, Pd, Pt, Cu, Zn, Sn, Pb, B, Al and combinations thereof; and an alkali or alkaline earth metal salt that is not the bisulfite salt. In a particular embodiment, the enhanced OTA composition consists essentially of an alkali or alkaline earth bisulfite salt; a Fe salt; and an alkali or alkaline earth metal salt that is not the alkali or alkaline earth bisulfite salt. In a particular embodiment, the enhanced OTA composition consists essentially of an alkali or alkaline earth bisulfite salt, a Fe salt; a salt containing an element selected from the group consisting of Sc, Y, La, Ti, Zr, V, Nb, Cr, Mo, W, Mn, Ru, Co, Rh, Ni, Pd, Pt, Cu, Zn, Sn, Pb, B, Al and combinations thereof; and an alkali or alkaline earth metal salt that is not the alkali or alkaline earth bisulfite salt. In a particular embodiment, the enhanced OTA composition consists essentially of calcium bisulfite (CaS₂O₆H₂); a Fe salt; and an alkali or alkaline earth metal salt that is not calcium bisulfite (CaS₂O₆H₂). In a particular embodiment, the enhanced OTA composition consists essentially of calcium bisulfite (CaS₂O₆H₂); a Fe salt; a salt containing an element selected from the group consisting of Sc, Y, La, Ti, Zr, V, Nb, Cr, Mo, W, Mn, Ru, Co, Rh, Ni, Pd, Pt, Cu, Zn, Sn, Pb, B, Al and combinations thereof; and an alkali or alkaline earth metal salt that is not calcium bisulfite (CaS₂O₆H₂).

In an exemplary embodiment, the enhanced OTA composition consists of a bisulfite salt; a salt containing an element selected from the group consisting of Sc, Y, La, Ti, Zr, V, Nb, Cr, Mo, W, Mn, Fe, Ru, Co, Rh, Ni, Pd, Pt, Cu, Zn, Sn, Pb, B, Al and combinations thereof; and an alkali or alkaline earth metal salt that is not the bisulfite salt. In an exemplary embodiment, the enhanced OTA composition consists of an alkali or an alkaline earth bisulfite salt; a salt containing an element selected from the group consisting of Sc, Y, La, Ti, Zr, V, Nb, Cr, Mo, W, Mn, Fe, Ru, Co, Rh, Ni, Pd, Pt, Cu, Zn, Sn, Pb, B, Al and combinations thereof; and an alkali or alkaline earth metal salt that is not the alkali or alkaline earth metal bisulfite salt. In a particular embodiment, the enhanced OTA composition consists of calcium bisulfite (CaS₂O₆H₂); a salt containing an element selected from the group consisting of Sc, Y, La, Ti, Zr, V, Nb, Cr, Mo, W, Mn, Fe, Ru, Co, Rh, Ni, Pd, Pt, Cu, Zn, Sn, Pb, B, Al and combinations thereof; and an alkali metal salt or an alkaline earth metal salt that is not calcium bisulfite (CaS₂O₆H₂). In a particular embodiment, the enhanced OTA composition consists of a bisulfite salt; a Fe salt; and an alkali or alkaline earth metal salt that is not the bisulfite salt. In a particular embodiment, the enhanced OTA composition consists of a bisulfite salt, a Fe salt; a salt containing an element selected from the group consisting of Sc, Y, La, Ti, Zr, V, Nb, Cr, Mo, W, Mn, Ru, Co, Rh, Ni, Pd, Pt, Cu, Zn, Sn, Pb, B, Al and combinations thereof; and an alkali or alkaline earth metal salt that is not the bisulfite salt. In a particular embodiment, the enhanced OTA composition consists of an alkali or alkaline earth bisulfite salt; a Fe salt; and an alkali or alkaline earth metal salt that is not the alkali or alkaline earth metal bisulfite salt. In a particular embodiment, the enhanced OTA composition consists of an alkali or alkaline earth bisulfite salt, a Fe salt; a salt containing an element selected from the group consisting of Sc, Y, La, Ti, Zr, V, Nb, Cr, Mo, W, Mn, Ru, Co, Rh, Ni, Pd, Pt, Cu, Zn, Sn, Pb, B, Al and combinations thereof; and an alkali or alkaline earth metal salt that is not the alkali or alkaline earth metal bisulfite salt. In a particular embodiment, the enhanced OTA composition consists of calcium bisulfite (CaS₂O₆H₂); a Fe salt; and an alkali or alkaline earth metal salt that is not calcium bisulfite (CaS₂O₆H₂). In a particular embodiment, the enhanced OTA composition consists of calcium bisulfite (CaS₂O₆H₂); a Fe salt; a salt containing an element selected from the group consisting of Sc, Y, La, Ti, Zr, V, Nb, Cr, Mo, W, Mn, Ru, Co, Rh, Ni, Pd, Pt, Cu, Zn, Sn, Pb, B, Al and combinations thereof; and an alkali or alkaline earth metal salt that is not calcium bisulfite (CaS₂O₆H₂).

In an exemplary embodiment, the enhanced OTA composition comprises a metabisulfite salt; a salt containing an element selected from the group consisting of Sc, Y, La, Ti, Zr, V, Nb, Cr, Mo, W, Mn, Fe, Ru, Co, Rh, Ni, Pd, Pt, Cu, Zn, Sn, Pb, B, Al and combinations thereof; and an alkali or alkaline earth metal salt that is not the metabisulfite salt. In an exemplary embodiment, the enhanced OTA composition comprises an alkali or an alkaline earth metabisulfite salt; a salt containing an element selected from the group consisting of Sc, Y, La, Ti, Zr, V, Nb, Cr, Mo, W, Mn, Fe, Ru, Co, Rh, Ni, Pd, Pt, Cu, Zn, Sn, Pb, B, Al and combinations thereof; and an alkali or alkaline earth metal salt that is not the alkali or alkaline earth metabisulfite salt. In a particular embodiment, the enhanced OTA composition comprises calcium metabisulfite (CaS₂O₅); a salt containing an element selected from the group consisting of Sc, Y, La, Ti, Zr, V, Nb, Cr, Mo, W, Mn, Fe, Ru, Co, Rh, Ni, Pd, Pt, Cu, Zn, Sn, Pb, B, Al and combinations thereof; and an alkali metal salt or an alkaline earth metal salt that is not calcium metabisulfite (CaS₂O₅). In a particular embodiment, the enhanced OTA composition comprises a metabisulfite salt; a Fe salt; and an alkali or alkaline earth metal salt that is not the metabisulfite salt. In a particular embodiment, the enhanced OTA composition comprises a metabisulfite salt, a Fe salt; a salt containing an element selected from the group consisting of Sc, Y, La, Ti, Zr, V, Nb, Cr, Mo, W, Mn, Ru, Co, Rh, Ni, Pd, Pt, Cu, Zn, Sn, Pb, B, Al and combinations thereof; and an alkali or alkaline earth metal salt that is not the metabisulfite salt. In a particular embodiment, the enhanced OTA composition comprises an alkali or alkaline earth metabisulfite salt; a Fe salt; and an alkali or alkaline earth metal salt that is not the alkali or alkaline earth metabisulfite salt. In a particular embodiment, the enhanced OTA composition comprises an alkali or alkaline earth metabisulfite salt, a Fe salt; a salt containing an element selected from the group consisting of Sc, Y, La, Ti, Zr, V, Nb, Cr, Mo, W, Mn, Ru, Co, Rh, Ni, Pd, Pt, Cu, Zn, Sn, Pb, B, Al and combinations thereof; and an alkali or alkaline earth metal salt that is not the alkali or alkaline earth metabisulfite salt. In a particular embodiment, the enhanced OTA composition comprises calcium metabisulfite (CaS₂O₅); a Fe salt; and an alkali or alkaline earth metal salt that is not calcium metabisulfite (CaS₂O₅). In a particular embodiment, the enhanced OTA composition comprises calcium metabisulfite (CaS₂O₅); a Fe salt; a salt containing an element selected from the group consisting of Sc, Y, La, Ti, Zr, V, Nb, Cr, Mo, W, Mn, Ru, Co, Rh, Ni, Pd, Pt, Cu, Zn, Sn, Pb, B, Al and combinations thereof; and an alkali or alkaline earth metal salt that is not calcium metabisulfite (CaS₂O₅).

In an exemplary embodiment, the enhanced OTA composition consists essentially of a metabisulfite salt; a salt containing an element selected from the group consisting of Sc, Y, La, Ti, Zr, V, Nb, Cr, Mo, W, Mn, Fe, Ru, Co, Rh, Ni, Pd, Pt, Cu, Zn, Sn, Pb, B, Al and combinations thereof; and an alkali or alkaline earth metal salt that is not the metabisulfite salt. In an exemplary embodiment, the enhanced OTA composition consists essentially of an alkali or an alkaline earth metabisulfite salt; a salt containing an element selected from the group consisting of Sc, Y, La, Ti, Zr, V, Nb, Cr, Mo, W, Mn, Fe, Ru, Co, Rh, Ni, Pd, Pt, Cu, Zn, Sn, Pb, B, Al and combinations thereof; and an alkali or alkaline earth metal salt that is not the alkali or alkaline earth metabisulfite salt. In a particular embodiment, the enhanced OTA composition consists essentially calcium metabisulfite (CaS₂O₅); a salt containing an element selected from the group consisting of Sc, Y, La, Ti, Zr, V, Nb, Cr, Mo, W, Mn, Fe, Ru, Co, Rh, Ni, Pd, Pt, Cu, Zn, Sn, Pb, B, Al and combinations thereof; and an alkali metal salt or an alkaline earth metal salt that is not calcium metabisulfite (CaS₂O₅). In a particular embodiment, the enhanced OTA composition consists essentially of a metabisulfite salt; a Fe salt; and an alkali or alkaline earth metal salt that is not the metabisulfite salt. In a particular embodiment, the enhanced OTA composition consists essentially of a metabisulfite salt, a Fe salt; a salt containing an element selected from the group consisting of Sc, Y, La, Ti, Zr, V, Nb, Cr, Mo, W, Mn, Ru, Co, Rh, Ni, Pd, Pt, Cu, Zn, Sn, Pb, B, Al and combinations thereof; and an alkali or alkaline earth metal salt that is not the metabisulfite salt. In a particular embodiment, the enhanced OTA composition consists essentially of an alkali or alkaline earth metabisulfite salt; a Fe salt; and an alkali or alkaline earth metal salt that is not the alkali or alkaline earth metabisulfite salt. In a particular embodiment, the enhanced OTA composition consists essentially of an alkali or alkaline earth metabisulfite salt, a Fe salt; a salt containing an element selected from the group consisting of Sc, Y, La, Ti, Zr, V, Nb, Cr, Mo, W, Mn, Ru, Co, Rh, Ni, Pd, Pt, Cu, Zn, Sn, Pb, B, Al and combinations thereof; and an alkali or alkaline earth metal salt that is not the alkali or alkaline earth metabisulfite salt. In a particular embodiment, the enhanced OTA composition consists essentially of calcium metabisulfite (CaS₂O₅); a Fe salt; and an alkali or alkaline earth metal salt that is not calcium metabisulfite (CaS₂O₅). In a particular embodiment, the enhanced OTA composition consists essentially of calcium metabisulfite (CaS₂O₅); a Fe salt; a salt containing an element selected from the group consisting of Sc, Y, La, Ti, Zr, V, Nb, Cr, Mo, W, Mn, Ru, Co, Rh, Ni, Pd, Pt, Cu, Zn, Sn, Pb, B, Al and combinations thereof; and an alkali or alkaline earth metal salt that is not calcium metabisulfite (CaS₂O₅).

In an exemplary embodiment, the enhanced OTA composition consists of a metabisulfite salt; a salt containing an element selected from the group consisting of Sc, Y, La, Ti, Zr, V, Nb, Cr, Mo, W, Mn, Fe, Ru, Co, Rh, Ni, Pd, Pt, Cu, Zn, Sn, Pb, B, Al and combinations thereof; and an alkali or alkaline earth metal salt that is not the metabisulfite salt. In an exemplary embodiment, the enhanced OTA composition consists of an alkali or an alkaline earth metabisulfite salt; a salt containing an element selected from the group consisting of Sc, Y, La, Ti, Zr, V, Nb, Cr, Mo, W, Mn, Fe, Ru, Co, Rh, Ni, Pd, Pt, Cu, Zn, Sn, Pb, B, Al and combinations thereof; and an alkali or alkaline earth metal salt that is not the alkali or alkaline earth metal metabisulfite salt. In a particular embodiment, the enhanced OTA composition consists of calcium metabisulfite (CaS₂O₅); a salt containing an element selected from the group consisting of Sc, Y, La, Ti, Zr, V, Nb, Cr, Mo, W, Mn, Fe, Ru, Co, Rh, Ni, Pd, Pt, Cu, Zn, Sn, Pb, B, Al and combinations thereof; and an alkali metal salt or an alkaline earth metal salt that is not calcium metabisulfite (CaS₂O₅). In a particular embodiment, the enhanced OTA composition consists of a metabisulfite salt; a Fe salt; and an alkali or alkaline earth metal salt that is not the metabisulfite salt. In a particular embodiment, the enhanced OTA composition consists of a metabisulfite salt, a Fe salt; a salt containing an element selected from the group consisting of Sc, Y, La, Ti, Zr, V, Nb, Cr, Mo, W, Mn, Ru, Co, Rh, Ni, Pd, Pt, Cu, Zn, Sn, Pb, B, Al and combinations thereof; and an alkali or alkaline earth metal salt that is not the metabisulfite salt. In a particular embodiment, the enhanced OTA composition consists of an alkali or alkaline earth metabisulfite salt; a Fe salt; and an alkali or alkaline earth metal salt that is not the alkali or alkaline earth metal metabisulfite salt. In a particular embodiment, the enhanced OTA composition consists of an alkali or alkaline earth metabisulfite salt, a Fe salt; a salt containing an element selected from the group consisting of Sc, Y, La, Ti, Zr, V, Nb, Cr, Mo, W, Mn, Ru, Co, Rh, Ni, Pd, Pt, Cu, Zn, Sn, Pb, B, Al and combinations thereof; and an alkali or alkaline earth metal salt that is not the alkali or alkaline earth metal metabisulfite salt. In a particular embodiment, the enhanced OTA composition consists of calcium metabisulfite (CaS₂O₅); a Fe salt; and an alkali or alkaline earth metal salt that is not calcium metabisulfite (CaS₂O₅). In a particular embodiment, the enhanced OTA composition consists of calcium metabisulfite (CaS₂O₅); a Fe salt; a salt containing an element selected from the group consisting of Sc, Y, La, Ti, Zr, V, Nb, Cr, Mo, W, Mn, Ru, Co, Rh, Ni, Pd, Pt, Cu, Zn, Sn, Pb, B, Al and combinations thereof; and an alkali or alkaline earth metal salt that is not calcium metabisulfite (CaS₂O₅).

In an exemplary embodiment, the enhanced OTA composition comprises SO₃; a salt containing an element selected from the group consisting of Sc, Y, La, Ti, Zr, V, Nb, Cr, Mo, W, Mn, Fe, Ru, Co, Rh, Ni, Pd, Pt, Cu, Zn, Sn, Pb, B, Al and combinations thereof; and an alkali or alkaline earth metal salt. In a particular embodiment, the enhanced OTA composition comprises SO₃; a Fe salt; and an alkali or alkaline earth metal salt. In a particular embodiment, the enhanced OTA composition comprises SO₃, a Fe salt; a salt containing an element selected from the group consisting of Sc, Y, La, Ti, Zr, V, Nb, Cr, Mo, W, Mn, Ru, Co, Rh, Ni, Pd, Pt, Cu, Zn, Sn, Pb, B, Al and combinations thereof; and an alkali or alkaline earth metal salt.

In an exemplary embodiment, the enhanced OTA composition consists essentially of SO₃; a salt containing an element selected from the group consisting of Sc, Y, La, Ti, Zr, V, Nb, Cr, Mo, W, Mn, Fe, Ru, Co, Rh, Ni, Pd, Pt, Cu, Zn, Sn, Pb, B, Al and combinations thereof; and an alkali or alkaline earth metal salt. In a particular embodiment, the enhanced OTA composition consists essentially of SO₃; a Fe salt; and an alkali or alkaline earth metal salt. In a particular embodiment, the enhanced OTA composition consists essentially of a SO₃; a Fe salt; a salt containing an element selected from the group consisting of Sc, Y, La, Ti, Zr, V, Nb, Cr, Mo, W, Mn, Ru, Co, Rh, Ni, Pd, Pt, Cu, Zn, Sn, Pb, B, Al and combinations thereof; and an alkali or alkaline earth metal salt.

In an exemplary embodiment, the enhanced OTA composition consists of SO₃; a salt containing an element selected from the group consisting of Sc, Y, La, Ti, Zr, V, Nb, Cr, Mo, W, Mn, Fe, Ru, Co, Rh, Ni, Pd, Pt, Cu, Zn, Sn, Pb, B, Al and combinations thereof; and an alkali or alkaline earth metal salt. In a particular embodiment, the enhanced OTA composition consists of SO₃; a Fe salt; and an alkali or alkaline earth metal salt. In a particular embodiment, the enhanced OTA composition consists of SO₃; a Fe salt; a salt containing an element selected from the group consisting of Sc, Y, La, Ti, Zr, V, Nb, Cr, Mo, W, Mn, Ru, Co, Rh, Ni, Pd, Pt, Cu, Zn, Sn, Pb, B, Al and combinations thereof; and an alkali or alkaline earth metal salt.

The alkali or alkaline earth salts are present in an amount of 0.10 to 10%, such as 0.5 to 10%, such as 0.5 to 8%, such as 0.5 to 5%, such as 1 to 10%, such as 1 to 5% by weight relative to the total weight of the components (a), (b) and (c).

(4) Sulfur-Containing Compounds

The performance of sulfate salts, sulfite salts and metabisulfite salts as OTAs for the selective oxidation of saturated hydrocarbons (such as in OCM and ODH reactions) was observed to frequently be enhanced by the presence of sulfur-containing compounds, especially those that exist as gases under the reaction conditions of the ODH of saturated hydrocarbons to unsaturated hydrocarbons. In an exemplary embodiment, the sulfur-containing compound includes, but is not limited to, dimethyl sulfide, diethyl sulfide, ethylene sulfide, diamyl sulfide, diallyl sulfide, dicyclohexyl sulfide, SO₃, SO₂, H₂S and CS₂.

In an exemplary embodiment, the enhanced OTA composition comprises a sulfate salt; a salt containing an element selected from the group consisting of Sc, Y, La, Ti, Zr, V, Nb, Cr, Mo, W, Mn, Fe, Ru, Co, Rh, Ni, Pd, Pt, Cu, Zn, Sn, Pb, B, Al and combinations thereof; an alkali or alkaline earth metal salt that is not the sulfate salt; and a sulfur-containing compound that is not the sulfate salt. In an exemplary embodiment, the enhanced OTA composition comprises an alkali or an alkaline earth sulfate salt; a salt containing an element selected from the group consisting of Sc, Y, La, Ti, Zr, V, Nb, Cr, Mo, W, Mn, Fe, Ru, Co, Rh, Ni, Pd, Pt, Cu, Zn, Sn, Pb, B, Al and combinations thereof; an alkali or alkaline earth metal salt that is not the sulfate salt; and a sulfur-containing compound that is not the sulfate salt. In a particular embodiment, the enhanced OTA composition comprises CaSO₄; a salt containing an element selected from the group consisting of Sc, Y, La, Ti, Zr, V, Nb, Cr, Mo, W, Mn, Fe, Ru, Co, Rh, Ni, Pd, Pt, Cu, Zn, Sn, Pb, B, Al and combinations thereof; an alkali metal salt or an alkaline earth metal salt that is not CaSO₄; and a sulfur-containing compound that is not CaSO₄. In a particular embodiment, the enhanced OTA composition comprises a sulfate salt; a Fe salt; an alkali or alkaline earth metal salt that is not the sulfate salt; and a sulfur-containing compound that is not the sulfate salt. In a particular embodiment, the enhanced OTA composition comprises a sulfate salt, a Fe salt; a salt containing an element selected from the group consisting of Sc, Y, La, Ti, Zr, V, Nb, Cr, Mo, W, Mn, Ru, Co, Rh, Ni, Pd, Pt, Cu, Zn, Sn, Pb, B, Al and combinations thereof; an alkali or alkaline earth metal salt that is not the sulfate salt; and a sulfur-containing compound that is not the sulfate salt. In a particular embodiment, the enhanced OTA composition comprises an alkali or alkaline earth sulfate salt; a Fe salt; an alkali or alkaline earth metal salt that is not the sulfate salt; and a sulfur-containing compound that is not the sulfate salt. In a particular embodiment, the enhanced OTA composition comprises an alkali or alkaline earth sulfate salt; a Fe salt; a salt containing an element selected from the group consisting of Sc, Y, La, Ti, Zr, V, Nb, Cr, Mo, W, Mn, Ru, Co, Rh, Ni, Pd, Pt, Cu, Zn, Sn, Pb, B, Al and combinations thereof; an alkali or alkaline earth metal salt that is not the sulfate salt; and a sulfur-containing compound that is not the sulfate salt. In a particular embodiment, the enhanced OTA composition comprises CaSO₄; a Fe salt; an alkali or alkaline earth metal salt that is not CaSO₄; and a sulfur-containing compound that is not CaSO₄. In a particular embodiment, the enhanced OTA composition comprises CaSO₄; a Fe salt; a salt containing an element selected from the group consisting of Sc, Y, La, Ti, Zr, V, Nb, Cr, Mo, W, Mn, Ru, Co, Rh, Ni, Pd, Pt, Cu, Zn, Sn, Pb, B, Al and combinations thereof; an alkali or alkaline earth metal salt that is not CaSO₄; and a sulfur-containing compound that is not CaSO₄.

In an exemplary embodiment, the enhanced OTA composition consists essentially of a sulfate salt; a salt containing an element selected from the group consisting of Sc, Y, La, Ti, Zr, V, Nb, Cr, Mo, W, Mn, Fe, Ru, Co, Rh, Ni, Pd, Pt, Cu, Zn, Sn, Pb, B, Al and combinations thereof; an alkali or alkaline earth metal salt that is not the sulfate salt; and a sulfur-containing compound that is not the sulfate salt. In an exemplary embodiment, the enhanced OTA composition consists essentially of an alkali or an alkaline earth sulfate salt; a salt containing an element selected from the group consisting of Sc, Y, La, Ti, Zr, V, Nb, Cr, Mo, W, Mn, Fe, Ru, Co, Rh, Ni, Pd, Pt, Cu, Zn, Sn, Pb, B, Al and combinations thereof; an alkali or alkaline earth metal salt that is not the sulfate salt; and a sulfur-containing compound that is not the sulfate salt. In a particular embodiment, the enhanced OTA composition consists essentially of CaSO₄; a salt containing an element selected from the group consisting of Sc, Y, La, Ti, Zr, V, Nb, Cr, Mo, W, Mn, Fe, Ru, Co, Rh, Ni, Pd, Pt, Cu, Zn, Sn, Pb, B, Al and combinations thereof; an alkali metal salt or an alkaline earth metal salt that is not CaSO₄; and a sulfur-containing compound that is not CaSO₄. In a particular embodiment, the enhanced OTA composition consists essentially of a sulfate salt; a Fe salt; an alkali or alkaline earth metal salt that is not the sulfate salt; and a sulfur-containing compound that is not the sulfate salt. In a particular embodiment, the enhanced OTA composition consists essentially of a sulfate salt, a Fe salt; a salt containing an element selected from the group consisting of Sc, Y, La, Ti, Zr, V, Nb, Cr, Mo, W, Mn, Ru, Co, Rh, Ni, Pd, Pt, Cu, Zn, Sn, Pb, B, Al and combinations thereof; an alkali or alkaline earth metal salt that is not the sulfate salt; and a sulfur-containing compound that is not the sulfate salt. In a particular embodiment, the enhanced OTA composition consists essentially of an alkali or alkaline earth sulfate salt; a Fe salt; an alkali or alkaline earth metal salt that is not the sulfate salt; and a sulfur-containing compound that is not the sulfate salt. In a particular embodiment, the enhanced OTA composition consists essentially of an alkali or alkaline earth sulfate salt, a Fe salt; a salt containing an element selected from the group consisting of Sc, Y, La, Ti, Zr, V, Nb, Cr, Mo, W, Mn, Ru, Co, Rh, Ni, Pd, Pt, Cu, Zn, Sn, Pb, B, Al and combinations thereof; an alkali or alkaline earth metal salt that is not the sulfate salt; and a sulfur-containing compound that is not the sulfate salt. In a particular embodiment, the enhanced OTA composition consists essentially of CaSO₄; a Fe salt; an alkali or alkaline earth metal salt that is not CaSO₄; and a sulfur-containing compound that is not CaSO₄. In a particular embodiment, the enhanced OTA composition consists essentially of CaSO₄; a Fe salt; a salt containing an element selected from the group consisting of Sc, Y, La, Ti, Zr, V, Nb, Cr, Mo, W, Mn, Ru, Co, Rh, Ni, Pd, Pt, Cu, Zn, Sn, Pb, B, Al and combinations thereof; an alkali or alkaline earth metal salt that is not CaSO₄; and a sulfur-containing compound that is not CaSO₄.

In an exemplary embodiment, the enhanced OTA composition consists of a sulfate salt; a salt containing an element selected from the group consisting of Sc, Y, La, Ti, Zr, V, Nb, Cr, Mo, W, Mn, Fe, Ru, Co, Rh, Ni, Pd, Pt, Cu, Zn, Sn, Pb, B, Al and combinations thereof; an alkali or alkaline earth metal salt that is not the sulfate salt; and a sulfur-containing compound that is not the sulfate salt. In an exemplary embodiment, the enhanced OTA composition consists of an alkali or an alkaline earth sulfate salt; a salt containing an element selected from the group consisting of Sc, Y, La, Ti, Zr, V, Nb, Cr, Mo, W, Mn, Fe, Ru, Co, Rh, Ni, Pd, Pt, Cu, Zn, Sn, Pb, B, Al and combinations thereof; an alkali or alkaline earth metal salt that is not the sulfate salt; and a sulfur-containing compound that is not the sulfate salt. In a particular embodiment, the enhanced OTA composition consists of CaSO₄; a salt containing an element selected from the group consisting of Sc, Y, La, Ti, Zr, V, Nb, Cr, Mo, W, Mn, Fe, Ru, Co, Rh, Ni, Pd, Pt, Cu, Zn, Sn, Pb, B, Al and combinations thereof; an alkali metal salt or an alkaline earth metal salt that is not CaSO₄; and a sulfur-containing compound that is not CaSO₄. In a particular embodiment, the enhanced OTA composition consists of a sulfate salt; a Fe salt; and an alkali or alkaline earth metal salt that is not the sulfate salt. In a particular embodiment, the enhanced OTA composition consists of a sulfate salt, a Fe salt; a salt containing an element selected from the group consisting of Sc, Y, La, Ti, Zr, V, Nb, Cr, Mo, W, Mn, Ru, Co, Rh, Ni, Pd, Pt, Cu, Zn, Sn, Pb, B, Al and combinations thereof; an alkali or alkaline earth metal salt that is not the sulfate salt; and a sulfur-containing compound that is not the sulfate salt. In a particular embodiment, the enhanced OTA composition consists of an alkali or alkaline earth sulfate salt; a Fe salt; an alkali or alkaline earth metal salt that is not the sulfate salt; and a sulfur-containing compound that is not the sulfate salt. In a particular embodiment, the enhanced OTA composition consists of an alkali or alkaline earth sulfate salt, a Fe salt; a salt containing an element selected from the group consisting of Sc, Y, La, Ti, Zr, V, Nb, Cr, Mo, W, Mn, Ru, Co, Rh, Ni, Pd, Pt, Cu, Zn, Sn, Pb, B, Al and combinations thereof; an alkali or alkaline earth metal salt that is not the sulfate salt; and a sulfur-containing compound that is not the sulfate salt. In a particular embodiment, the enhanced OTA composition consists of CaSO₄; a Fe salt; an alkali or alkaline earth metal salt that is not CaSO₄; and a sulfur-containing compound that is not CaSO₄. In a particular embodiment, the enhanced OTA composition consists of CaSO₄; a Fe salt; a salt containing an element selected from the group consisting of Sc, Y, La, Ti, Zr, V, Nb, Cr, Mo, W, Mn, Ru, Co, Rh, Ni, Pd, Pt, Cu, Zn, Sn, Pb, B, Al and combinations thereof; an alkali or alkaline earth metal salt that is not CaSO₄; and a sulfur-containing compound that is not CaSO₄.

In an exemplary embodiment, the enhanced OTA composition comprises a sulfite salt; a salt containing an element selected from the group consisting of Sc, Y, La, Ti, Zr, V, Nb, Cr, Mo, W, Mn, Fe, Ru, Co, Rh, Ni, Pd, Pt, Cu, Zn, Sn, Pb, B, Al and combinations thereof; an alkali or alkaline earth metal salt that is not the sulfite salt; and a sulfur-containing compound that is not the sulfite salt. In an exemplary embodiment, the enhanced OTA composition comprises an alkali or an alkaline earth sulfite salt; a salt containing an element selected from the group consisting of Sc, Y, La, Ti, Zr, V, Nb, Cr, Mo, W, Mn, Fe, Ru, Co, Rh, Ni, Pd, Pt, Cu, Zn, Sn, Pb, B, Al and combinations thereof; an alkali or alkaline earth metal salt that is not the sulfite salt; and a sulfur-containing compound that is not the sulfite salt. In a particular embodiment, the enhanced OTA composition comprises calcium sulfite (CaSO₃); a salt containing an element selected from the group consisting of Sc, Y, La, Ti, Zr, V, Nb, Cr, Mo, W, Mn, Fe, Ru, Co, Rh, Ni, Pd, Pt, Cu, Zn, Sn, Pb, B, Al and combinations thereof; an alkali metal salt or an alkaline earth metal salt that is not calcium sulfite (CaSO₃); and a sulfur-containing compound that is not calcium sulfite (CaSO₃). In a particular embodiment, the enhanced OTA composition comprises a sulfite salt; a Fe salt; an alkali or alkaline earth metal salt that is not the sulfite salt; and a sulfur-containing compound that is not the sulfite salt. In a particular embodiment, the enhanced OTA composition comprises a sulfite salt, a Fe salt; a salt containing an element selected from the group consisting of Sc, Y, La, Ti, Zr, V, Nb, Cr, Mo, W, Mn, Ru, Co, Rh, Ni, Pd, Pt, Cu, Zn, Sn, Pb, B, Al and combinations thereof; an alkali or alkaline earth metal salt that is not the sulfite salt; and a sulfur-containing compound that is not the sulfite salt. In a particular embodiment, the enhanced OTA composition comprises an alkali or alkaline earth sulfite salt; a Fe salt; an alkali or alkaline earth metal salt that is not the sulfite salt; and a sulfur-containing compound that is not the sulfite salt. In a particular embodiment, the enhanced OTA composition comprises an alkali or alkaline earth sulfite salt; a Fe salt; a salt containing an element selected from the group consisting of Sc, Y, La, Ti, Zr, V, Nb, Cr, Mo, W, Mn, Ru, Co, Rh, Ni, Pd, Pt, Cu, Zn, Sn, Pb, B, Al and combinations thereof; an alkali or alkaline earth metal salt that is not the sulfite salt; and a sulfur-containing compound that is not the sulfite salt. In a particular embodiment, the enhanced OTA composition comprises calcium sulfite (CaSO₃); a Fe salt; an alkali or alkaline earth metal salt that is not calcium sulfite (CaSO₃); and a sulfur-containing compound that is not calcium sulfite (CaSO₃). In a particular embodiment, the enhanced OTA composition comprises calcium sulfite (CaSO₃); a Fe salt; a salt containing an element selected from the group consisting of Sc, Y, La, Ti, Zr, V, Nb, Cr, Mo, W, Mn, Ru, Co, Rh, Ni, Pd, Pt, Cu, Zn, Sn, Pb, B, Al and combinations thereof; an alkali or alkaline earth metal salt that is not calcium sulfite (CaSO₃); and a sulfur-containing compound that is not calcium sulfite (CaSO₃).

In an exemplary embodiment, the enhanced OTA composition consists essentially of a sulfite salt; a salt containing an element selected from the group consisting of Sc, Y, La, Ti, Zr, V, Nb, Cr, Mo, W, Mn, Fe, Ru, Co, Rh, Ni, Pd, Pt, Cu, Zn, Sn, Pb, B, Al and combinations thereof; an alkali or alkaline earth metal salt that is not the sulfite salt; and a sulfur-containing compound that is not the sulfite salt. In an exemplary embodiment, the enhanced OTA composition consists essentially of an alkali or an alkaline earth sulfite salt; a salt containing an element selected from the group consisting of Sc, Y, La, Ti, Zr, V, Nb, Cr, Mo, W, Mn, Fe, Ru, Co, Rh, Ni, Pd, Pt, Cu, Zn, Sn, Pb, B, Al and combinations thereof; an alkali or alkaline earth metal salt that is not the sulfite salt; and a sulfur-containing compound that is not the sulfite salt. In a particular embodiment, the enhanced OTA composition consists essentially of calcium sulfite (CaSO₃); a salt containing an element selected from the group consisting of Sc, Y, La, Ti, Zr, V, Nb, Cr, Mo, W, Mn, Fe, Ru, Co, Rh, Ni, Pd, Pt, Cu, Zn, Sn, Pb, B, Al and combinations thereof; an alkali metal salt or an alkaline earth metal salt that is not calcium sulfite (CaSO₃); and a sulfur-containing compound that is not calcium sulfite (CaSO₃). In a particular embodiment, the enhanced OTA composition consists essentially of a sulfite salt; a Fe salt; an alkali or alkaline earth metal salt that is not the sulfite salt; and a sulfur-containing compound that is not the sulfite salt. In a particular embodiment, the enhanced OTA composition consists essentially of a sulfite salt, a Fe salt; a salt containing an element selected from the group consisting of Sc, Y, La, Ti, Zr, V, Nb, Cr, Mo, W, Mn, Ru, Co, Rh, Ni, Pd, Pt, Cu, Zn, Sn, Pb, B, Al and combinations thereof; an alkali or alkaline earth metal salt that is not the sulfite salt; and a sulfur-containing compound that is not the sulfite salt. In a particular embodiment, the enhanced OTA composition consists essentially of an alkali or alkaline earth sulfite salt; a Fe salt; an alkali or alkaline earth metal salt that is not the sulfite salt; and a sulfur-containing compound that is not the sulfite salt. In a particular embodiment, the enhanced OTA composition consists essentially of an alkali or alkaline earth sulfite salt, a Fe salt; a salt containing an element selected from the group consisting of Sc, Y, La, Ti, Zr, V, Nb, Cr, Mo, W, Mn, Ru, Co, Rh, Ni, Pd, Pt, Cu, Zn, Sn, Pb, B, Al and combinations thereof; an alkali or alkaline earth metal salt that is not the sulfite salt; and a sulfur-containing compound that is not the sulfite salt. In a particular embodiment, the enhanced OTA composition consists essentially of calcium sulfite (CaSO₃); a Fe salt; an alkali or alkaline earth metal salt that is not calcium sulfite (CaSO₃); and a sulfur-containing compound that is not calcium sulfite (CaSO₃). In a particular embodiment, the enhanced OTA composition consists essentially of calcium sulfite (CaSO₃); a Fe salt; a salt containing an element selected from the group consisting of Sc, Y, La, Ti, Zr, V, Nb, Cr, Mo, W, Mn, Ru, Co, Rh, Ni, Pd, Pt, Cu, Zn, Sn, Pb, B, Al and combinations thereof; an alkali or alkaline earth metal salt that is not calcium sulfite (CaSO₃); and a sulfur-containing compound that is not calcium sulfite (CaSO₃).

In an exemplary embodiment, the enhanced OTA composition consists of a sulfite salt; a salt containing an element selected from the group consisting of Sc, Y, La, Ti, Zr, V, Nb, Cr, Mo, W, Mn, Fe, Ru, Co, Rh, Ni, Pd, Pt, Cu, Zn, Sn, Pb, B, Al and combinations thereof; an alkali or alkaline earth metal salt that is not the sulfite salt; and a sulfur-containing compound that is not the sulfite salt. In an exemplary embodiment, the enhanced OTA composition consists of an alkali or an alkaline earth sulfite salt; a salt containing an element selected from the group consisting of Sc, Y, La, Ti, Zr, V, Nb, Cr, Mo, W, Mn, Fe, Ru, Co, Rh, Ni, Pd, Pt, Cu, Zn, Sn, Pb, B, Al and combinations thereof; an alkali or alkaline earth metal salt that is not the sulfite salt; and a sulfur-containing compound that is not the sulfite salt. In a particular embodiment, the enhanced OTA composition consists of calcium sulfite (CaSO₃); a salt containing an element selected from the group consisting of Sc, Y, La, Ti, Zr, V, Nb, Cr, Mo, W, Mn, Fe, Ru, Co, Rh, Ni, Pd, Pt, Cu, Zn, Sn, Pb, B, Al and combinations thereof; an alkali metal salt or an alkaline earth metal salt that is not calcium sulfite (CaSO₃); and a sulfur-containing compound that is not calcium sulfite (CaSO₃). In a particular embodiment, the enhanced OTA composition consists of a sulfite salt; a Fe salt; and an alkali or alkaline earth metal salt that is not the sulfite salt. In a particular embodiment, the enhanced OTA composition consists of a sulfite salt, a Fe salt; a salt containing an element selected from the group consisting of Sc, Y, La, Ti, Zr, V, Nb, Cr, Mo, W, Mn, Ru, Co, Rh, Ni, Pd, Pt, Cu, Zn, Sn, Pb, B, Al and combinations thereof; an alkali or alkaline earth metal salt that is not the sulfite salt; and a sulfur-containing compound that is not the sulfite salt. In a particular embodiment, the enhanced OTA composition consists of an alkali or alkaline earth sulfite salt; a Fe salt; an alkali or alkaline earth metal salt that is not the sulfite salt; and a sulfur-containing compound that is not the sulfite salt. In a particular embodiment, the enhanced OTA composition consists of an alkali or alkaline earth sulfite salt, a Fe salt; a salt containing an element selected from the group consisting of Sc, Y, La, Ti, Zr, V, Nb, Cr, Mo, W, Mn, Ru, Co, Rh, Ni, Pd, Pt, Cu, Zn, Sn, Pb, B, Al and combinations thereof; an alkali or alkaline earth metal salt that is not the sulfite salt; and a sulfur-containing compound that is not the sulfite salt. In a particular embodiment, the enhanced OTA composition consists of calcium sulfite (CaSO₃); a Fe salt; an alkali or alkaline earth metal salt that is not calcium sulfite (CaSO₃); and a sulfur-containing compound that is not calcium sulfite (CaSO₃). In a particular embodiment, the enhanced OTA composition consists of calcium sulfite (CaSO₃); a Fe salt; a salt containing an element selected from the group consisting of Sc, Y, La, Ti, Zr, V, Nb, Cr, Mo, W, Mn, Ru, Co, Rh, Ni, Pd, Pt, Cu, Zn, Sn, Pb, B, Al and combinations thereof; an alkali or alkaline earth metal salt that is not calcium sulfite (CaSO₃); and a sulfur-containing compound that is not calcium sulfite (CaSO₃).

In an exemplary embodiment, the enhanced OTA composition comprises a bisulfite salt; a salt containing an element selected from the group consisting of Sc, Y, La, Ti, Zr, V, Nb, Cr, Mo, W, Mn, Fe, Ru, Co, Rh, Ni, Pd, Pt, Cu, Zn, Sn, Pb, B, Al and combinations thereof; an alkali or alkaline earth metal salt that is not the bisulfite salt; and a sulfur-containing compound that is not the bisulfite salt. In an exemplary embodiment, the enhanced OTA composition comprises an alkali or an alkaline earth bisulfite salt; a salt containing an element selected from the group consisting of Sc, Y, La, Ti, Zr, V, Nb, Cr, Mo, W, Mn, Fe, Ru, Co, Rh, Ni, Pd, Pt, Cu, Zn, Sn, Pb, B, Al and combinations thereof; an alkali or alkaline earth metal salt that is not the bisulfite salt; and a sulfur-containing compound that is not the bisulfite salt. In a particular embodiment, the enhanced OTA composition comprises calcium bisulfite (CaS₂O₆H₂); a salt containing an element selected from the group consisting of Sc, Y, La, Ti, Zr, V, Nb, Cr, Mo, W, Mn, Fe, Ru, Co, Rh, Ni, Pd, Pt, Cu, Zn, Sn, Pb, B, Al and combinations thereof; an alkali metal salt or an alkaline earth metal salt that is not calcium bisulfite (CaS₂O₆H₂); and a sulfur-containing compound that is not calcium bisulfite (CaS₂O₆H₂). In a particular embodiment, the enhanced OTA composition comprises a bisulfite salt; a Fe salt; an alkali or alkaline earth metal salt that is not the bisulfite salt; and a sulfur-containing compound that is not the bisulfite salt. In a particular embodiment, the enhanced OTA composition comprises a bisulfite salt, a Fe salt; a salt containing an element selected from the group consisting of Sc, Y, La, Ti, Zr, V, Nb, Cr, Mo, W, Mn, Ru, Co, Rh, Ni, Pd, Pt, Cu, Zn, Sn, Pb, B, Al and combinations thereof; an alkali or alkaline earth metal salt that is not the bisulfite salt; and a sulfur-containing compound that is not the bisulfite salt. In a particular embodiment, the enhanced OTA composition comprises an alkali or alkaline earth bisulfite salt; a Fe salt; an alkali or alkaline earth metal salt that is not the bisulfite salt; and a sulfur-containing compound that is not the bisulfite salt. In a particular embodiment, the enhanced OTA composition comprises an alkali or alkaline earth bisulfite salt; a Fe salt; a salt containing an element selected from the group consisting of Sc, Y, La, Ti, Zr, V, Nb, Cr, Mo, W, Mn, Ru, Co, Rh, Ni, Pd, Pt, Cu, Zn, Sn, Pb, B, Al and combinations thereof; an alkali or alkaline earth metal salt that is not the bisulfite salt; and a sulfur-containing compound that is not the bisulfite salt. In a particular embodiment, the enhanced OTA composition comprises calcium bisulfite (CaS₂O₆H₂); a Fe salt; an alkali or alkaline earth metal salt that is not calcium bisulfite (CaS₂O₆H₂); and a sulfur-containing compound that is not calcium bisulfite (CaS₂O₆H₂). In a particular embodiment, the enhanced OTA composition comprises calcium bisulfite (CaS₂O₆H₂); a Fe salt; a salt containing an element selected from the group consisting of Sc, Y, La, Ti, Zr, V, Nb, Cr, Mo, W, Mn, Ru, Co, Rh, Ni, Pd, Pt, Cu, Zn, Sn, Pb, B, Al and combinations thereof; an alkali or alkaline earth metal salt that is not calcium bisulfite (CaS₂O₆H₂); and a sulfur-containing compound that is not calcium bisulfite (CaS₂O₆H₂).

In an exemplary embodiment, the enhanced OTA composition consists essentially of a bisulfite salt; a salt containing an element selected from the group consisting of Sc, Y, La, Ti, Zr, V, Nb, Cr, Mo, W, Mn, Fe, Ru, Co, Rh, Ni, Pd, Pt, Cu, Zn, Sn, Pb, B, Al and combinations thereof; an alkali or alkaline earth metal salt that is not the bisulfite salt; and a sulfur-containing compound that is not the bisulfite salt. In an exemplary embodiment, the enhanced OTA composition consists essentially of an alkali or an alkaline earth bisulfite salt; a salt containing an element selected from the group consisting of Sc, Y, La, Ti, Zr, V, Nb, Cr, Mo, W, Mn, Fe, Ru, Co, Rh, Ni, Pd, Pt, Cu, Zn, Sn, Pb, B, Al and combinations thereof; an alkali or alkaline earth metal salt that is not the bisulfite salt; and a sulfur-containing compound that is not the bisulfite salt. In a particular embodiment, the enhanced OTA composition consists essentially of calcium bisulfite (CaS₂O₆H₂); a salt containing an element selected from the group consisting of Sc, Y, La, Ti, Zr, V, Nb, Cr, Mo, W, Mn, Fe, Ru, Co, Rh, Ni, Pd, Pt, Cu, Zn, Sn, Pb, B, Al and combinations thereof; an alkali metal salt or an alkaline earth metal salt that is not calcium bisulfite (CaS₂O₆H₂); and a sulfur-containing compound that is not calcium bisulfite (CaS₂O₆H₂). In a particular embodiment, the enhanced OTA composition consists essentially of a bisulfite salt; a Fe salt; an alkali or alkaline earth metal salt that is not the bisulfite salt; and a sulfur-containing compound that is not the bisulfite salt. In a particular embodiment, the enhanced OTA composition consists essentially of a bisulfite salt, a Fe salt; a salt containing an element selected from the group consisting of Sc, Y, La, Ti, Zr, V, Nb, Cr, Mo, W, Mn, Ru, Co, Rh, Ni, Pd, Pt, Cu, Zn, Sn, Pb, B, Al and combinations thereof; an alkali or alkaline earth metal salt that is not the bisulfite salt; and a sulfur-containing compound that is not the bisulfite salt. In a particular embodiment, the enhanced OTA composition consists essentially of an alkali or alkaline earth bisulfite salt; a Fe salt; an alkali or alkaline earth metal salt that is not the bisulfite salt; and a sulfur-containing compound that is not the bisulfite salt. In a particular embodiment, the enhanced OTA composition consists essentially of an alkali or alkaline earth bisulfite salt, a Fe salt; a salt containing an element selected from the group consisting of Sc, Y, La, Ti, Zr, V, Nb, Cr, Mo, W, Mn, Ru, Co, Rh, Ni, Pd, Pt, Cu, Zn, Sn, Pb, B, Al and combinations thereof; an alkali or alkaline earth metal salt that is not the bisulfite salt; and a sulfur-containing compound that is not the bisulfite salt. In a particular embodiment, the enhanced OTA composition consists essentially of calcium bisulfite (CaS₂O₆H₂); a Fe salt; an alkali or alkaline earth metal salt that is not calcium bisulfite (CaS₂O₆H₂); and a sulfur-containing compound that is not calcium bisulfite (CaS₂O₆H₂). In a particular embodiment, the enhanced OTA composition consists essentially of calcium bisulfite (CaS₂O₆H₂); a Fe salt; a salt containing an element selected from the group consisting of Sc, Y, La, Ti, Zr, V, Nb, Cr, Mo, W, Mn, Ru, Co, Rh, Ni, Pd, Pt, Cu, Zn, Sn, Pb, B, Al and combinations thereof; an alkali or alkaline earth metal salt that is not calcium bisulfite (CaS₂O₆H₂); and a sulfur-containing compound that is not calcium bisulfite (CaS₂O₆H₂).

In an exemplary embodiment, the enhanced OTA composition consists of a bisulfite salt; a salt containing an element selected from the group consisting of Sc, Y, La, Ti, Zr, V, Nb, Cr, Mo, W, Mn, Fe, Ru, Co, Rh, Ni, Pd, Pt, Cu, Zn, Sn, Pb, B, Al and combinations thereof; an alkali or alkaline earth metal salt that is not the bisulfite salt; and a sulfur-containing compound that is not the bisulfite salt. In an exemplary embodiment, the enhanced OTA composition consists of an alkali or an alkaline earth bisulfite salt; a salt containing an element selected from the group consisting of Sc, Y, La, Ti, Zr, V, Nb, Cr, Mo, W, Mn, Fe, Ru, Co, Rh, Ni, Pd, Pt, Cu, Zn, Sn, Pb, B, Al and combinations thereof; an alkali or alkaline earth metal salt that is not the bisulfite salt; and a sulfur-containing compound that is not the bisulfite salt. In a particular embodiment, the enhanced OTA composition consists of calcium bisulfite (CaS₂O₆H₂); a salt containing an element selected from the group consisting of Sc, Y, La, Ti, Zr, V, Nb, Cr, Mo, W, Mn, Fe, Ru, Co, Rh, Ni, Pd, Pt, Cu, Zn, Sn, Pb, B, Al and combinations thereof; an alkali metal salt or an alkaline earth metal salt that is not calcium bisulfite (CaS₂O₆H₂); and a sulfur-containing compound that is not calcium bisulfite (CaS₂O₆H₂). In a particular embodiment, the enhanced OTA composition consists of a bisulfite salt; a Fe salt; and an alkali or alkaline earth metal salt that is not the bisulfite salt. In a particular embodiment, the enhanced OTA composition consists of a bisulfite salt, a Fe salt; a salt containing an element selected from the group consisting of Sc, Y, La, Ti, Zr, V, Nb, Cr, Mo, W, Mn, Ru, Co, Rh, Ni, Pd, Pt, Cu, Zn, Sn, Pb, B, Al and combinations thereof; an alkali or alkaline earth metal salt that is not the bisulfite salt; and a sulfur-containing compound that is not the bisulfite salt. In a particular embodiment, the enhanced OTA composition consists of an alkali or alkaline earth bisulfite salt; a Fe salt; an alkali or alkaline earth metal salt that is not the bisulfite salt; and a sulfur-containing compound that is not the bisulfite salt. In a particular embodiment, the enhanced OTA composition consists of an alkali or alkaline earth bisulfite salt, a Fe salt; a salt containing an element selected from the group consisting of Sc, Y, La, Ti, Zr, V, Nb, Cr, Mo, W, Mn, Ru, Co, Rh, Ni, Pd, Pt, Cu, Zn, Sn, Pb, B, Al and combinations thereof; an alkali or alkaline earth metal salt that is not the bisulfite salt; and a sulfur-containing compound that is not the bisulfite salt. In a particular embodiment, the enhanced OTA composition consists of calcium bisulfite (CaS₂O₆H₂); a Fe salt; an alkali or alkaline earth metal salt that is not calcium bisulfite (CaS₂O₆H₂); and a sulfur-containing compound that is not calcium bisulfite (CaS₂O₆H₂). In a particular embodiment, the enhanced OTA composition consists of calcium bisulfite (CaS₂O₆H₂); a Fe salt; a salt containing an element selected from the group consisting of Sc, Y, La, Ti, Zr, V, Nb, Cr, Mo, W, Mn, Ru, Co, Rh, Ni, Pd, Pt, Cu, Zn, Sn, Pb, B, Al and combinations thereof; an alkali or alkaline earth metal salt that is not calcium bisulfite (CaS₂O₆H₂); and a sulfur-containing compound that is not calcium bisulfite (CaS₂O₆H₂).

In an exemplary embodiment, the enhanced OTA composition comprises a metabisulfite salt; a salt containing an element selected from the group consisting of Sc, Y, La, Ti, Zr, V, Nb, Cr, Mo, W, Mn, Fe, Ru, Co, Rh, Ni, Pd, Pt, Cu, Zn, Sn, Pb, B, Al and combinations thereof; an alkali or alkaline earth metal salt that is not the metabisulfite salt; and a sulfur-containing compound that is not the metabisulfite salt. In an exemplary embodiment, the enhanced OTA composition comprises an alkali or an alkaline earth metabisulfite salt; a salt containing an element selected from the group consisting of Sc, Y, La, Ti, Zr, V, Nb, Cr, Mo, W, Mn, Fe, Ru, Co, Rh, Ni, Pd, Pt, Cu, Zn, Sn, Pb, B, Al and combinations thereof; an alkali or alkaline earth metal salt that is not the metabisulfite salt; and a sulfur-containing compound that is not the metabisulfite salt. In a particular embodiment, the enhanced OTA composition comprises calcium metabisulfite (CaS₂O₅); a salt containing an element selected from the group consisting of Sc, Y, La, Ti, Zr, V, Nb, Cr, Mo, W, Mn, Fe, Ru, Co, Rh, Ni, Pd, Pt, Cu, Zn, Sn, Pb, B, Al and combinations thereof; an alkali metal salt or an alkaline earth metal salt that is not calcium metabisulfite (CaS₂O₅); and a sulfur-containing compound that is not calcium metabisulfite (CaS₂O₅). In a particular embodiment, the enhanced OTA composition comprises a metabisulfite salt; a Fe salt; an alkali or alkaline earth metal salt that is not the metabisulfite salt; and a sulfur-containing compound that is not the metabisulfite salt. In a particular embodiment, the enhanced OTA composition comprises a metabisulfite salt, a Fe salt; a salt containing an element selected from the group consisting of Sc, Y, La, Ti, Zr, V, Nb, Cr, Mo, W, Mn, Ru, Co, Rh, Ni, Pd, Pt, Cu, Zn, Sn, Pb, B, Al and combinations thereof; an alkali or alkaline earth metal salt that is not the metabisulfite salt; and a sulfur-containing compound that is not the metabisulfite salt. In a particular embodiment, the enhanced OTA composition comprises an alkali or alkaline earth metabisulfite salt; a Fe salt; an alkali or alkaline earth metal salt that is not the metabisulfite salt; and a sulfur-containing compound that is not the metabisulfite salt. In a particular embodiment, the enhanced OTA composition comprises an alkali or alkaline earth metabisulfite salt; a Fe salt; a salt containing an element selected from the group consisting of Sc, Y, La, Ti, Zr, V, Nb, Cr, Mo, W, Mn, Ru, Co, Rh, Ni, Pd, Pt, Cu, Zn, Sn, Pb, B, Al and combinations thereof; an alkali or alkaline earth metal salt that is not the metabisulfite salt; and a sulfur-containing compound that is not the metabisulfite salt. In a particular embodiment, the enhanced OTA composition comprises calcium metabisulfite (CaS₂O₅); a Fe salt; an alkali or alkaline earth metal salt that is not calcium metabisulfite (CaS₂O₅); and a sulfur-containing compound that is not calcium metabisulfite (CaS₂O₅). In a particular embodiment, the enhanced OTA composition comprises calcium metabisulfite (CaS₂O₅); a Fe salt; a salt containing an element selected from the group consisting of Sc, Y, La, Ti, Zr, V, Nb, Cr, Mo, W, Mn, Ru, Co, Rh, Ni, Pd, Pt, Cu, Zn, Sn, Pb, B, Al and combinations thereof; an alkali or alkaline earth metal salt that is not calcium metabisulfite (CaS₂O₅); and a sulfur-containing compound that is not calcium metabisulfite (CaS₂O₅).

In an exemplary embodiment, the enhanced OTA composition consists essentially of a metabisulfite salt; a salt containing an element selected from the group consisting of Sc, Y, La, Ti, Zr, V, Nb, Cr, Mo, W, Mn, Fe, Ru, Co, Rh, Ni, Pd, Pt, Cu, Zn, Sn, Pb, B, Al and combinations thereof; an alkali or alkaline earth metal salt that is not the metabisulfite salt; and a sulfur-containing compound that is not the metabisulfite salt. In an exemplary embodiment, the enhanced OTA composition consists essentially of an alkali or an alkaline earth metabisulfite salt; a salt containing an element selected from the group consisting of Sc, Y, La, Ti, Zr, V, Nb, Cr, Mo, W, Mn, Fe, Ru, Co, Rh, Ni, Pd, Pt, Cu, Zn, Sn, Pb, B, Al and combinations thereof; an alkali or alkaline earth metal salt that is not the metabisulfite salt; and a sulfur-containing compound that is not the metabisulfite salt. In a particular embodiment, the enhanced OTA composition consists essentially of calcium metabisulfite (CaS₂O₅); a salt containing an element selected from the group consisting of Sc, Y, La, Ti, Zr, V, Nb, Cr, Mo, W, Mn, Fe, Ru, Co, Rh, Ni, Pd, Pt, Cu, Zn, Sn, Pb, B, Al and combinations thereof; an alkali metal salt or an alkaline earth metal salt that is not calcium metabisulfite (CaS₂O₅); and a sulfur-containing compound that is not calcium metabisulfite (CaS₂O₅). In a particular embodiment, the enhanced OTA composition consists essentially of a bisulfite salt; a Fe salt; an alkali or alkaline earth metal salt that is not the metabisulfite salt; and a sulfur-containing compound that is not the metabisulfite salt. In a particular embodiment, the enhanced OTA composition consists essentially of a metabisulfite salt, a Fe salt; a salt containing an element selected from the group consisting of Sc, Y, La, Ti, Zr, V, Nb, Cr, Mo, W, Mn, Ru, Co, Rh, Ni, Pd, Pt, Cu, Zn, Sn, Pb, B, Al and combinations thereof; an alkali or alkaline earth metal salt that is not the metabisulfite salt; and a sulfur-containing compound that is not the metabisulfite salt. In a particular embodiment, the enhanced OTA composition consists essentially of an alkali or alkaline earth metabisulfite salt; a Fe salt; an alkali or alkaline earth metal salt that is not the metabisulfite salt; and a sulfur-containing compound that is not the metabisulfite salt. In a particular embodiment, the enhanced OTA composition consists essentially of an alkali or alkaline earth metabisulfite salt, a Fe salt; a salt containing an element selected from the group consisting of Sc, Y, La, Ti, Zr, V, Nb, Cr, Mo, W, Mn, Ru, Co, Rh, Ni, Pd, Pt, Cu, Zn, Sn, Pb, B, Al and combinations thereof; an alkali or alkaline earth metal salt that is not the metabisulfite salt; and a sulfur-containing compound that is not the metabisulfite salt. In a particular embodiment, the enhanced OTA composition consists essentially of calcium metabisulfite (CaS₂O₅); a Fe salt; an alkali or alkaline earth metal salt that is not calcium metabisulfite (CaS₂O₅); and a sulfur-containing compound that is not calcium metabisulfite (CaS₂O₅). In a particular embodiment, the enhanced OTA composition consists essentially of calcium metabisulfite (CaS₂O₅); a Fe salt; a salt containing an element selected from the group consisting of Sc, Y, La, Ti, Zr, V, Nb, Cr, Mo, W, Mn, Ru, Co, Rh, Ni, Pd, Pt, Cu, Zn, Sn, Pb, B, Al and combinations thereof; an alkali or alkaline earth metal salt that is not calcium metabisulfite (CaS₂O₅); and a sulfur-containing compound that is not calcium metabisulfite (CaS₂O₅).

In an exemplary embodiment, the enhanced OTA composition consists of a metabisulfite salt; a salt containing an element selected from the group consisting of Sc, Y, La, Ti, Zr, V, Nb, Cr, Mo, W, Mn, Fe, Ru, Co, Rh, Ni, Pd, Pt, Cu, Zn, Sn, Pb, B, Al and combinations thereof; an alkali or alkaline earth metal salt that is not the metabisulfite salt; and a sulfur-containing compound that is not the metabisulfite salt. In an exemplary embodiment, the enhanced OTA composition consists of an alkali or an alkaline earth metabisulfite salt; a salt containing an element selected from the group consisting of Sc, Y, La, Ti, Zr, V, Nb, Cr, Mo, W, Mn, Fe, Ru, Co, Rh, Ni, Pd, Pt, Cu, Zn, Sn, Pb, B, Al and combinations thereof; an alkali or alkaline earth metal salt that is not the metabisulfite salt; and a sulfur-containing compound that is not the metabisulfite salt. In a particular embodiment, the enhanced OTA composition consists of calcium metabisulfite (CaS₂O₅); a salt containing an element selected from the group consisting of Sc, Y, La, Ti, Zr, V, Nb, Cr, Mo, W, Mn, Fe, Ru, Co, Rh, Ni, Pd, Pt, Cu, Zn, Sn, Pb, B, Al and combinations thereof; an alkali metal salt or an alkaline earth metal salt that is not calcium metabisulfite (CaS₂O₅); and a sulfur-containing compound that is not calcium metabisulfite (CaS₂O₅). In a particular embodiment, the enhanced OTA composition consists of a metabisulfite salt; a Fe salt; and an alkali or alkaline earth metal salt that is not the metabisulfite salt. In a particular embodiment, the enhanced OTA composition consists of a metabisulfite salt, a Fe salt; a salt containing an element selected from the group consisting of Sc, Y, La, Ti, Zr, V, Nb, Cr, Mo, W, Mn, Ru, Co, Rh, Ni, Pd, Pt, Cu, Zn, Sn, Pb, B, Al and combinations thereof; an alkali or alkaline earth metal salt that is not the metabisulfite salt; and a sulfur-containing compound that is not the metabisulfite salt. In a particular embodiment, the enhanced OTA composition consists of an alkali or alkaline earth metabisulfite salt; a Fe salt; an alkali or alkaline earth metal salt that is not the metabisulfite salt; and a sulfur-containing compound that is not the metabisulfite salt. In a particular embodiment, the enhanced OTA composition consists of an alkali or alkaline earth metabisulfite salt, a Fe salt; a salt containing an element selected from the group consisting of Sc, Y, La, Ti, Zr, V, Nb, Cr, Mo, W, Mn, Ru, Co, Rh, Ni, Pd, Pt, Cu, Zn, Sn, Pb, B, Al and combinations thereof; an alkali or alkaline earth metal salt that is not the metabisulfite salt; and a sulfur-containing compound that is not the metabisulfite salt. In a particular embodiment, the enhanced OTA composition consists of calcium metabisulfite (CaS₂O₅); a Fe salt; an alkali or alkaline earth metal salt that is not calcium metabisulfite (CaS₂O₅); and a sulfur-containing compound that is not calcium metabisulfite (CaS₂O₅). In a particular embodiment, the enhanced OTA composition consists of calcium metabisulfite (CaS₂O₅); a Fe salt; a salt containing an element selected from the group consisting of Sc, Y, La, Ti, Zr, V, Nb, Cr, Mo, W, Mn, Ru, Co, Rh, Ni, Pd, Pt, Cu, Zn, Sn, Pb, B, Al and combinations thereof; an alkali or alkaline earth metal salt that is not calcium metabisulfite (CaS₂O₅); and a sulfur-containing compound that is not calcium metabisulfite (CaS₂O₅).

The sulfur-containing compound is present in an amount of 1 to 100,000 ppm, such as 10 to 100,000 ppm, such as 50 to 75,000 ppm, such as 50 to 50,000 ppm, such as 100 to 75,000 ppm, such as 100 to 50,000 ppm, such as 200 to 75,000 ppm, such as 200 to 50,000 ppm by weight of the saturated hydrocarbon feed.

(5) Methods of Oxidatively Dehydrogenating a Saturated Hydrocarbon Feed to Produce an Unsaturated (Dehydrogenated) Hydrocarbon Product and Water

Methods of oxidatively dehydrogenating a saturated hydrocarbon feed are well documented in the art (see, e.g., U.S. Pat. No. 10,138,182; Neil et al., Energy Technology 4: 1200-1208 (2016); Sofranko et al., Journal of Catalysis 302-310 (1987)) and are typically carried out by contacting the feed with an oxidation transfer agent and may proceed in the substantial absence of molecular oxygen or in the presence of molecular oxygen. In the former case, the oxidation transfer agent (OTA) as described herein may itself provide the necessary oxygen, and thus may be converted to a reduced form. In a separate step, this reduced form may be re-oxidized (regenerated) in the presence of molecular oxygen. In the latter case, the OTA may be acting more like a catalyst since it may not necessarily be changed after the oxidative dehydrogenation of the hydrocarbon feed is complete.

In an exemplary embodiment, a method of oxidatively dehydrogenating a saturated hydrocarbon feed to produce an unsaturated hydrocarbon product and water comprises, consists of, or consists essentially of the steps of:

1) contacting the hydrocarbon feed at the same or different times with

-   -   (a) at least one oxygen transfer agent (OTA) comprising a         sulfate salt, a sulfite salt, a bisulfite salt or a         metabisulfite salt, such as a sulfate salt, a sulfite salt, a         bisulfite salt or a metabisulfite salt of an alkali or alkaline         earth metal;     -   (b) one or more elements (typically in salt form) selected from         Groups 3 to 14 of the periodic table;     -   (c) optionally an alkali or alkaline earth metal salt that is         not the sulfate, sulfite, bisulfite or metabisulfite salt of         (a), and     -   (d) optionally a sulfur-containing compound that is not the         sulfate, sulfite, bisulfite or metabisulfite salt of (a);

2) oxidatively dehydrogenating the hydrocarbon feed under suitable reaction conditions to produce the unsaturated hydrocarbon product and water.

In various exemplary embodiments, the reaction conditions in step 2) comprise, consist essentially of, or consist of substantially no molecular oxygen during the oxidative dehydrogenation of the hydrocarbon feed. In these embodiments, at least a portion of the oxygen transfer agent may be reduced to produce a reduced oxygen transfer agent. Without wishing to be bound by theory, this condition results in the at least one OTA providing the oxygen that is needed for the oxidative dehydrogenation to occur. In particular, less than 5 wt %, such as less than 4 wt %, such as less than 3 wt %, such as less than 2 wt %, such as less than 1 wt %, such as less than 0.5 wt %, such as less than 1000 ppm, such as less than 500 ppm by weight of molecular oxygen with respect to the total amount of the hydrocarbon feed, the oxygen transfer agent and the molecular oxygen is present during the oxidative dehydrogenation step. Less than 1000 ppm of molecular oxygen is preferred. Non-limiting examples of sources of molecular oxygen include air or molecular oxygen-containing streams resulting from chemical processes.

In various exemplary embodiments, the reaction conditions in step 2) comprise temperatures of from 825-840° C. and at gas hourly space velocities of 2,400 to 4,800 hr¹. Other suitable temperatures include, but are not limited to, from 300° C. to 1000° C., from 350° C. to 1000° C., from 400° C. to 1000° C., from 400° C. to 800° C. or from 500° C. to 700° C. Suitable pressures may range from sub-atmospheric to super-atmospheric with a range of from 0.1 to 100 atm. In various exemplary embodiments, the pressure range may be from 0.9 to 10 atm. Other suitable pressure ranges include, but are not limited to, from 0.9 to 1.5, from 0.5 to 2, from 0.9 to 5, from 0.9 to 7, or from 0.9 to 1.1 atm.

In various exemplary embodiments, the step 2) of oxidatively dehydrogenating the hydrocarbon feed proceeds according to the reaction (3) as described herein wherein: z=the number of reactant molecules; n=the number of atomic units in the reactant molecule; P=the degree of unsaturation in the reactant molecule, where the value is zero for single bonds, and one for double bonds and molecular rings; 6=the change in the degree of unsaturation from the reactant molecule to the product molecule; and “O” is atomic oxygen; and wherein the atomic oxygen is supplied by the at least one oxygen transfer agent. According to some embodiments, z=2, n=1, β=0, and δ=0. In particular this means that the reaction may comprise the oxidative coupling of methane to form ethylene. According to other embodiments, z=1, n=2, β=0, and δ=1. In particular, this means that the reaction may comprise the oxidative dehydrogenation of ethane to form ethylene. The oxidative dehydrogenation may comprise more than one reaction. Non-limiting examples of such multiple reactions may include: skeletal isomerization of olefins; oxidative dehydrogenation of methane to ethane and ethylene, and oxidative dehydrogenation of ethane to ethylene and higher olefins such as propylene and butylene.

In various exemplary embodiments, the method of oxidatively dehydrogenating a hydrocarbon feed may further comprise, consist of, or consist essentially of one or more of the steps of removing a portion of the reduced oxygen transfer agent; contacting the portion of the oxygen transfer agent with a gas comprising molecular oxygen to produce a regenerated oxygen transfer agent; and feeding the regenerated oxygen transfer agent to the step 1).

The oxygen transfer agents according to various embodiments of the present invention may be used in a chemical looping system to promote an ODH reaction via a Mars-van Krevelen-like mechanism. The effective utilization of the chemical looping mode of this invention may be performed in either fixed or circulating bed reactors. In the case of fixed bed reactors, multiple reactors may be used such that the oxidative dehydrogenation of the hydrocarbon feed and the re-oxidation of the oxygen transfer agent are occurring continuously and in parallel as the hydrocarbon feed and the source of molecular oxygen (such as air) are alternately cycled between the reactor and a regeneration unit while the re-oxidation takes place.

(6) Apparatus for Producing a Dehydrogenated Hydrocarbon Product

In an exemplary embodiment, the fuel reactor of FIG. 1 is selected from a fluidized bed reactor, a moving bed reactor, or a shell and tube reactor. The air reactor may be constructed and arranged to receive the post-ODH reaction OTA in reduced form, optionally in combination with the reduced metal selected from Groups 3 to 14 of the periodic table, where the reduced OTA/optional reduced metal is contacted with a gas (such as air) comprising molecular oxygen to produce a regenerated OTA and optional regenerated Group 3 to 14 metal; and where the regenerated OTA/optional Group 3 to 14 metal is introduced back into the fuel reactor.

(7) Hydrocarbon Feed

As defined herein, a saturated hydrocarbon that is suitable for oxidative dehydrogenation may be linear, branched, cyclic and contain one or more unsaturated carbon-carbon bonds (i.e., —C═C— and/or —C≡C—). An exemplary embodiment of such a compound is 1-butene (CH₂═CH₂—CH₂—CH₃) which contains an ODH-reactive saturated portion (—CH₂—CH₃) of the molecule as well as an unsaturated portion (CH₂═CH—). Suitable ODH hydrocarbon feeds for use in embodiments of the present invention include, but are not limited to, ethane; propane; butane; isomers of butane; butene; pentane; isomers of pentane; cyclopentane; pentene; cyclopentene; isomers of pentene; hexane; isomers of hexane; cyclohexane; hexene; isomers of hexene; cyclohexene; and mixtures thereof.

(8) Aspects of the Invention

Various aspects of the invention may be summarized as follows:

Aspect 1: A method of oxidatively dehydrogenating a saturated hydrocarbon feed to produce a dehydrogenated hydrocarbon product and water, the method comprising: contacting the saturated hydrocarbon feed at the same or different times with (a) at least one oxygen transfer agent comprising a sulfate salt, a sulfite salt, a bisulfite salt or a metabisulfite salt, such as a sulfate salt, a sulfite salt, a bisulfite salt or a metabisulfite salt of an alkali or alkaline earth metal; (b) one or more elements (typically in salt form) selected from Groups 3 to 14 of the periodic table; (c) optionally an alkali or alkaline earth metal salt that is not the sulfate, sulfite, bisulfite or metabisulfite salt of (a); and (d) optionally a sulfur-containing compound that is not the sulfate, sulfite, bisulfite or metabisulfite salt of (a); and oxidatively dehydrogenating the hydrocarbon feed to produce the dehydrogenated hydrocarbon product and the water. Aspect 2: The method of Aspect 1, wherein (a) is at least one oxygen transfer agent comprising a sulfate salt, a sulfite salt, a bisulfite salt or a metabisulfite salt of an alkaline earth metal. Aspect 3: The method of Aspect 1 or 2, wherein (a) is at least one oxygen transfer agent comprising a sulfate salt, a sulfite salt, a bisulfite salt or a metabisulfite salt of an alkaline earth metal; and (b) is one or more elements selected from the group consisting of Sc, Y, La, Ti, Zr, V, Nb, Cr, Mo, W, Mn, Fe, Ru, Co, Rh, Ni, Pd, Pt, Cu, Zn, Sn, Pb, B and Al. Aspect 4: The method of any of Aspects 1 to 3, wherein (a) is calcium sulfate (CaSO₄) or calcium sulfite (CaSO₃) or calcium bisulfite (CaS₂O₆H₂) or calcium metabisulfite (CaS₂O₅); and (b) is one or more elements selected from the group consisting of Sc, Y, La, Ti, Zr, V, Nb, Cr, Mo, W, Mn, Fe, Ru, Co, Rh, Ni, Pd, Pt, Cu, Zn, Sn, Pb, B and Al. Aspect 5: The method of any of Aspect 1, wherein the saturated hydrocarbon feed is contacted at the same or different times with (a) at least one oxygen transfer agent comprising a sulfate salt, a sulfite salt, a bisulfite salt or a metabisulfite salt of an alkali or alkaline earth metal; (b) one or more elements selected from Groups 3 to 14 of the periodic table; and (c) an alkali or alkaline earth metal salt that is not the sulfate, sulfite, bisulfite or metabisulfite salt of (a). Aspect 6: The method of any of Aspect 1, wherein the saturated hydrocarbon feed is contacted at the same or different times with (a) at least one oxygen transfer agent comprising a sulfate salt, a sulfite salt, a bisulfite salt or a metabisulfite salt of an alkali or alkaline earth metal; (b) one or more elements selected from Groups 3 to 14 of the periodic table; (c) an alkali or alkaline earth metal salt that is not the sulfate, sulfite, bisulfite or metabisulfite salt of (a); and (d) a sulfur-containing compound that is not the sulfate, sulfite, bisulfite or metabisulfite salt of (a). Aspect 7: The method of Aspect 5 or 6, wherein (a) is calcium sulfate (CaSO₄) or calcium sulfite (CaSO₃) or calcium bisulfite (CaS₂O₆H₂) or calcium metabisulfite (CaS₂O₅); and (b) is one or more elements selected from the group consisting of Sc, Y, La, Ti, Zr, V, Nb, Cr, Mo, W, Mn, Fe, Ru, Co, Rh, Ni, Pd, Pt, Cu, Zn, Sn, Pb, B and Al. Aspect 8: The method of Aspect 6 or 7, wherein (d) is selected from the group consisting of H₂S, SO₂, SO₃ and organosulfur compounds. Aspect 9: The method of any of Aspects 1 to 8, wherein (b) is Fe and optionally one or more elements selected from the group consisting of Sc, Y, La, Ti, Zr, V, Nb, Cr, Mo, W, Mn, Ru, Co, Rh, Ni, Pd, Pt, Cu, Zn, Sn, Pb, B and Al. Aspect 10: The method of any of Aspects 1 to 9, wherein the saturated hydrocarbon feed is contacted at the same or different times with (a) CaSO₄ or calcium sulfite (CaSO₃) or calcium bisulfite (CaS₂O₆H₂) or calcium metabisulfite (CaS₂O₅); (b) Fe and optionally one or more elements selected from the group consisting of Sc, Y, La, Ti, Zr, V, Nb, Cr, Mo, W, Mn, Ru, Co, Rh, Ni, Pd, Pt, Cu, Zn, Sn, Pb, B and Al; and (c) an alkali or alkaline earth metal salt that is not calcium sulfate (CaSO₄) or calcium sulfite (CaSO₃) or calcium bisulfite (CaS₂O₆H₂) or calcium metabisulfite (CaS₂O₅). Aspect 11: The method of any of Aspects 1 to 10, wherein the saturated hydrocarbon feed is contacted at the same or different times with (a) calcium sulfate (CaSO₄) or calcium sulfite (CaSO₃) or calcium bisulfite (CaS₂O₆H₂) or calcium metabisulfite (CaS₂O₅); (b) Fe and optionally one or more elements selected from the group consisting of Sc, Y, La, Ti, Zr, V, Nb, Cr, Mo, W, Mn, Ru, Co, Rh, Ni, Pd, Pt, Cu, Zn, Sn, Pb, B and Al; (c) an alkali or alkaline earth metal salt that is not calcium sulfate (CaSO₄) or calcium sulfite (CaSO₃) or calcium bisulfite (CaS₂O₆H₂) or calcium metabisulfite (CaS₂O₅); and (d) a sulfur-containing compound that is not calcium sulfate (CaSO₄) or calcium sulfite (CaSO₃) or calcium bisulfite (CaS₂O₆H₂) or calcium metabisulfite (CaS₂O₅). Aspect 12: The method of any of Aspects 1 to 11, wherein (a) is present in an amount of 10 to 90% by weight and (b) is present in an amount of 0.1 to 90% by weight relative to the total weight of (a), (b) and (c). Aspect 13: The method of any of Aspects 1 to 12, wherein (c) is present in an amount of 0.1 to 10% by weight relative to the total weight of (a), (b) and (c). Aspect 14: The method of any of Aspects 1 to 13, wherein (d) is present in an amount of 1 to 100,000 ppm relative to the saturated hydrocarbon feed. Aspect 15: The method of any of Aspects 1 to 13, further comprising: removing after oxidative dehydrogenation at least a portion of the oxygen transfer agent in reduced form; contacting the reduced oxygen transfer agent with a gas comprising molecular oxygen to produce a regenerated oxygen transfer agent; and adding the regenerated oxygen transfer agent to the saturated hydrocarbon feed. Aspect 16: A method of oxidatively dehydrogenating a saturated hydrocarbon feed to produce a dehydrogenated hydrocarbon product and water, the method comprising: contacting the saturated hydrocarbon feed at the same or different times with (a) at least one oxygen transfer agent comprising SO₃, (b) optionally one or more elements selected from Groups 3 to 14 of the periodic table, (c) optionally an alkali or alkaline earth metal salt, and (d) optionally a sulfur-containing compound that is not SO₃; and oxidatively dehydrogenating the hydrocarbon feed to produce the dehydrogenated hydrocarbon product and the water. Aspect 17: The method of Aspect 16, wherein (a) is SO₃. Aspect 18: The method of Aspect 16 or 17, wherein the saturated hydrocarbon feed is contacted at the same or different times with (a) SO₃ and (b) Fe and optionally one or more elements selected from the group consisting of Sc, Y, La, Ti, Zr, V, Nb, Cr, Mo, W, Mn, Ru, Co, Rh, Ni, Pd, Pt, Cu, Zn, Sn, Pb, B and Al. Aspect 19: An apparatus configured to produce a dehydrogenated hydrocarbon product by oxidative dehydrogenation of a saturated hydrocarbon feed to produce the dehydrogenated hydrocarbon product and water, the apparatus comprising: at least one vessel configured for: (i) contacting the saturated hydrocarbon feed with (a) at least one oxygen transfer agent comprising a sulfate salt; a sulfite salt, a bisulfite salt or a metabisulfite salt of an alkali or alkaline earth metal; (b) one or more elements selected from Groups 3 to 14 of the periodic table; (c) optionally an alkali or alkaline earth metal salt that is not the sulfate, sulfite, bisulfite salt or metabisulfite salt of (a), and (d) optionally a sulfur-containing compound that is not the sulfate, sulfite, bisulfite salt or metabisulfite salt of (a); and (ii) oxidatively dehydrogenating the saturated hydrocarbon feed to produce the dehydrogenated hydrocarbon product and the water and to convert at least a portion of the oxygen transfer agent to a reduced form. Aspect 20: An apparatus configured to produce a dehydrogenated hydrocarbon product by oxidative dehydrogenation of a saturated hydrocarbon feed to produce the dehydrogenated hydrocarbon product and water, the apparatus comprising: at least one vessel configured for: (i) contacting the saturated hydrocarbon feed with (a) at least one oxygen transfer agent comprising SO₃, (b) optionally one or more elements selected from Groups 3 to 14 of the periodic table, (c) optionally an alkali or alkaline earth metal salt, and (d) optionally a sulfur-containing compound that is not SO₃; and (ii) oxidatively dehydrogenating the saturated hydrocarbon feed to produce the dehydrogenated hydrocarbon product and the water and to convert at least a portion of the oxygen transfer agent to a reduced form. Aspect 21: The apparatus of Aspect 19 or 20, wherein the at least one vessel is selected from a fluidized bed reactor, a moving bed reactor, a shell and tube reactor and a series of switching fixed bed reactors. Aspect 22: The apparatus of any of Aspects 19 to 21, wherein the at least one vessel comprises an inlet and an outlet, and wherein the apparatus further comprises a regeneration unit in communication with the inlet and the outlet, wherein the regeneration unit is configured for: (iii) receiving at least a portion of the reduced oxygen transfer agent from the outlet; (iv) contacting the reduced oxygen transfer agent with a gas comprising molecular oxygen to produce a regenerated oxygen transfer agent; and (v) feeding the regenerated oxygen transfer agent to the inlet. Aspect 23: A composition for oxidative dehydrogenation of a saturated hydrocarbon feed and for OCM, the composition comprising: (a) at least one oxygen transfer agent comprising a sulfate, sulfite, bisulfite or metabisulfite salt of an alkali or alkaline earth metal, (b) one or more elements selected from Groups 3 to 14 of the periodic table, (c) optionally an alkali or alkaline earth metal salt that is not the sulfate, sulfite, bisulfite or metabisulfite salt of (a), and (d) optionally a sulfur-containing compound that is not the sulfate, sulfite, bisulfite or metabisulfite salt of (a). Aspect 24: A composition for oxidative dehydrogenation of a saturated hydrocarbon feed and for OCM, the composition comprising: (a) at least one oxygen transfer agent comprising SO₃, (b) one or more elements selected from Groups 3 to 14 of the periodic table, (c) optionally an alkali or alkaline earth metal salt, and (d) optionally a sulfur-containing compound that is not SO₃. Aspect 25: The composition of Aspect 23, wherein (a) is at least one oxygen transfer agent comprising a sulfate, sulfite, bisulfite or metabisulfite salt of an alkaline earth metal. Aspect 26: The composition of Aspect 23 or 25, wherein (a) is at least one oxygen transfer agent comprising a sulfate, sulfite, bisulfite or metabisulfite salt of an alkaline earth metal, and (b) is one or more elements selected from the group consisting of Sc, Y, La, Ti, Zr, V, Nb, Cr, Mo, W, Mn, Fe, Ru, Co, Rh, Ni, Pd, Pt, Cu, Zn, Sn, Pb, B and Al. Aspect 27: The composition of Aspects 23, 25 or 26, wherein (a) is calcium sulfate (CaSO₄) or calcium sulfite (CaSO₃) or calcium bisulfite (CaS₂O₆H₂) or calcium metabisulfite (CaS₂O₅). and (b) is one or more elements selected from the group consisting of Sc, Y, La, Ti, Zr, V, Nb, Cr, Mo, W, Mn, Fe, Ru, Co, Rh, Ni, Pd, Pt, Cu, Zn, Sn, Pb, B and Al. Aspect 28: The composition of any of Aspects 23 or 25 to 27, comprising: (c) an alkali or alkaline earth metal salt that is not a sulfate, sulfite, bisulfite or metabisulfite salt. Aspect 29: The composition of any of Aspects 23 or 25 to 28, comprising: (d) a sulfur-containing compound that is not the sulfate, sulfite, bisulfite or metabisulfite salt of (a). Aspect 30: The composition of Aspect 28, wherein (a) is calcium sulfate (CaSO₄) or calcium sulfite (CaSO₃) or calcium bisulfite (CaS₂O₆H₂) or calcium metabisulfite; and (b) is one or more elements selected from the group consisting of Sc, Y, La, Ti, Zr, V, Nb, Cr, Mo, W, Mn, Fe, Ru, Co, Rh, Ni, Pd, Pt, Cu, Zn, Sn, Pb, B and Al. Aspect 31: The composition of Aspect 29, wherein (a) is calcium sulfate (CaSO₄) or calcium sulfite (CaSO₃) or calcium bisulfite (CaS₂O₆H₂) or calcium metabisulfite; and (b) is one or more elements selected from the group consisting of Sc, Y, La, Ti, Zr, V, Nb, Cr, Mo, W, Mn, Fe, Ru, Co, Rh, Ni, Pd, Pt, Cu, Zn, Sn, Pb, B and Al. Aspect 32: The composition of any of Aspects 23 to 31, wherein (c) is an alkali metal salt that is not the sulfate, sulfite, bisulfite or metabisulfite salt of (a). Aspect 33: The composition of any of Aspects 23 to 32, wherein (d) is selected from the group consisting of H₂S, SO₂, SO₃ and organosulfur compounds. Aspect 34: The composition of any of Aspects 23 to 33, wherein (b) is Fe and optionally one or more elements selected from the group consisting of Sc, Y, La, Ti, Zr, V, Nb, Cr, Mo, W, Mn, Ru, Co, Rh, Ni, Pd, Pt, Cu, Zn, Sn, Pb, B and Al.

EXAMPLES

The following non-limiting examples are provided for the purpose of elucidating the advantages obtained from aspects of the present invention and are not intended to limit the invention to only these exemplary embodiments.

Example 1

A two zone ½ inch ID alumina tube reactor was charged with 5.0 g of NaHSO₄ (sodium bisulfate) which was held at 550° C. and 5 ml of 14-30 mesh high density α-Al₂O₃. It is known that NaHSO₄ thermally decomposes via sodium pyrosulfate at temperatures above 500° C. (K. J. de Vries et al., J. Inorg Nucl. Chem. 31, 1307-1313 (1969)). A flow of nitrogen was first passed through the NaHSO₄ at 550° C. and then directly through the α-Al₂O₃ which was held at 800° C. The formation of SO₃ was confirmed by bubbling the effluent from the reactor through a water trap containing bromothymol blue. Ethane pyrolytic products were observed and 30-35% of the hydrogen formed was oxidized by the SO₃ to water. See Table 2.

TABLE 2 Example # 1 2 OTA SO₃ SO₃ CaSO₄ CaSO₄ Drierite Feed C₂H₆ C₂H₆ CH₄ C₂H₆ C₂H₆ Temp, C. 800 800 1000 840 825 GHSV, hr⁻¹ 3,000 6,000 2,400 2,400 2,400 % Conversion CH₄ or C₂H₆ 84.04% 70.62% 19.55% 79.96% 67.45% % Selectivity Olefins 81.49% 89.01% 27.77% 86.09% 93.31% % Yield Olefins 68.49% 62.86%  5.43% 68.84% 62.94% % Selectivity Carbon Dioxide  2.62%  1.33% 39.40%  0.76%  0.41% % Selectivity Carbon Monoxide  4.37%  2.37% 32.83%  0.48%  0.56% % Yield Carbon Dioxide  2.20%  0.94%  7.70%  0.61%  0.28% % Yield Carbon Monoxide  3.67%  1.67%  6.42%  0.38%  0.37% % Selectivity % H₂ Selectivity 70.07% 64.70% 10.88% 61.06% 82.51% % Selectivity % H₂O Selectivity 29.93% 35.30% 89.12% 38.94% 17.49%

Example 2

A ½ inch ID alumina tube reactor was charged with either anhydrous CaSO₄ or commercial purchased Drierite. Ethane was passed through the bed at the conditions shown in Table 2 and products analyzed by GC. Both methane and ethane were converted to olefins with up to 89% of the hydrogen formed converted to water, which indicates the ability of CaSO₄ to act as an oxygen carrier OTA for OCM and ODH.

Example 3

A series of OTAs were prepared by dry mixing mixtures of iron or manganese compounds with CaSO₄. The mixtures were made up to be 5% by weight of the metal compound. Sodium promoters were optionally added at a 1:1 mole ratio to the metal. Ammonium metatungstate (AMT) and platinum were optionally separately added as promoters. After thoroughly mixing of the dry reagents, distilled water was added to generate a paste. The resultant paste was dried at 110° C. overnight, and then calcined at 900° C. in air for 16 hours. The catalyst cake was broken down to 14-30 mesh particles and charged to an alumina reactor for OCM and ODH testing. A summary of these materials and run results is shown in Tables 3-4.

TABLE 3 OTA Composition MnSO₄/CaSO₄ FeSO₄/CaSO₄ Feed C₂H₆ C₂H₆ CH₄ C₂H₆ C₂H₆ Temp, C. 825 840 825 825 840 GHSV, hr⁻¹ 1,200 2,400 2,400 2,400 2,400 % Conversion CH₄ or C₂H₆  2.83% 84.84%  1.40% 77.42% 86.85% % Selectivity Olefins 67.43% 82.25%  81.12% 88.81% 80.39% % Yield Olefins  1.91% 69.78%  1.14% 68.76% 69.82% % Selectivity Carbon Dioxide 26.78%  3.99%  18.88%  4.11% 11.51% % Selectivity Carbon Monoxide  5.80%  1.95%  0.00%  0.51%  0.80% % Yield Carbon Dioxide  0.76%  3.38%  0.27%  3.18%  9.99% % Yield Carbon Monoxide  0.16%  1.66%  0.00%  0.39%  0.70% % Selectivity % H₂ Selectivity  4.49% 51.07%  0.00% 24.76%  8.99% % Selectivity % H₂O Selectivity 95.51% 48.93% 100.00% 75.24% 91.01%

TABLE 4 FeSO₄/ Fe(NO₃)₃/ Fe(NO₃)₂/ MnSO₄/ Fe(NO₃)₂/ OTA CaSO₄/ CaSO₄/ CaSO₅/ CaSO₄/ CaSO₄/ Composition NaOH NaOH NaCl AMT NaCVPt Feed C₂H₆ C₂H₆ C₂H₅ C₂H₆ C₂H₆ Temp, C. 840 840 840 840 840 GHSV, hr⁻¹ 1,200 2,400 2,400 2,400 2,400 % Conversion CH₄ or C₂H₆ 85.04% 83.20% 83.77% 82.53% 86.85% % Selectivity Olefins 83.97% 86.85% 87.79% 86.36% 38.47% % Yield Olefins 71.40% 72.26% 73.54% 71.27% 97.03% % Selectivity Carbon Dioxide  6.18%  4.03%  2.98%  1.32% 37.33% % Selectivity Carbon Monoxide  1.36%  1.42%  1.29%  0.90%  0.12% % Yield Carbon Dioxide  5.26%  3.35%  2.50%  1.09%  0.06% % Yield Carbon Monoxide  1.15%  1.18%  1.08%  0.74%  0.05% % Selectivity % H₂ Selectivity 29.32% 26.96% 29.72% 74.99%  0.02% % Selectivity % H₂O Selectivity 70.68% 73.04% 70.28% 25.01% 78.26% Table 5 demonstrates the OTA life for a material prepared from Fe(NO3)3, CaSO4 and NaCl in Example 3 over 134 redox ODH cycles.

TABLE 5 Cycle Number 5 60 65 125 138 Feed C₂H₆ C₂H₆ C₂H₆ C₂H₆ C₂H₆ Temp, C. 825 825 840 840 840 GHSV, hr⁻¹ 3,600 3,600 3,600 3,600 2,400 % Conversion CH₄ or C₂H₆ 84.70% 85.02% 85.26% 85.52% 90.71% % Selectivity Olefins 88.18% 88.13% 87.11% 86.01% 81.41% % Yield Olefins 74.69% 74.92% 74.27% 73.55% 73.85% % Selectivity Carbon Dioxide  1.67%  0.90%  2.63%  3.87%  6.33% % Selectivity Carbon Monoxide  1.13%  1.96%  1.34%  1.62%  2.01% % Yield Carbon Dioxide  1.42%  0.77%  2.24%  3.31%  5.74% % Yield Carbon Monoxide  0.96%  1.67%  1.15%  1.38%  1.83% % Selectivity % H₂ Selectivity 61.63% 48.86% 46.40% 40.05% 30.28% % Selectivity % H₂O Selectivity 38.37% 51.14% 53.60% 59.95% 69.72% Discussion

In all of the experiments, the product gas had a slight smell of H₂S, indicating that some of the CaSO₄ had been reduced by the hydrocarbon. In addition, CaS was detected by XRD in samples that were thoroughly reduced by hydrogen. These results indicate the surprising effect of the addition of metal compounds selected from Groups 3 to 14 on CaSO₄, thereby significantly enhancing its use as an oxygen carrier for reaction (3), including for OCM and ODH of saturated hydrocarbons to unsaturated hydrocarbons.

Long term commercial application of these metal-catalyzed CaSO4 systems is possible by addition of low levels of sulfur-containing compounds such as H₂S, SO₂, SO₃ and organosulfur compounds to maintain the activity of the systems. In particular, H₂S is a common additive to commercial ethane steam cracker feeds.

While CaSO₄ has been demonstrated in the Examples as suitable for the present invention, any sulfate salt of an alkali or alkaline earth metal should also be further activated as an OTA by the teachings of the present invention. Similar results are expected for sulfite salts, bisulfite salts and metabisulfite salts as OTAs. Similarly, the manganese and iron salts shown in the Examples as activating the CaSO₄ are merely exemplary of many other suitable elements such as, for example, those of Groups 3 to 14 of the periodic table, such as, but not limited to, Mo, Ti, V, Pr, Cu and La.

While sodium, ammonium metatungstate and platinum were shown in the examples as co-promoters in increasing the selectivity of the sulfate salt OTAs, other promoters may be used and include boron, salts of tungstic acid and common alkali and alkaline earth metal halides.

Within this specification, embodiments have been described in a way which enables a clear and concise specification to be written, but it is intended and will be appreciated that embodiments may be variously combined or separated without departing from the invention. For example, it will be appreciated that all preferred features described herein are applicable to all aspects of the invention described herein.

In some embodiments, the invention herein can be construed as excluding any element or process step that does not materially affect the basic and novel characteristics of the invention. Additionally, in some embodiments, the invention can be construed as excluding any element or process step not specified herein.

Although the invention is illustrated and described herein with reference to specific embodiments, the invention is not intended to be limited to the details shown. Rather, various modifications may be made in the details within the scope and range of equivalents of the claims and without departing from the invention. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A method of oxidatively dehydrogenating a saturated hydrocarbon feed to produce a dehydrogenated hydrocarbon product and water, the method comprising: contacting the saturated hydrocarbon feed at the same or different times with (a) calcium sulfate (CaSO₄), (b) W and at least one of Fe and/or Mn, and (c) an alkali metal salt, and oxidatively dehydrogenating the hydrocarbon feed to produce the dehydrogenated hydrocarbon product and the water.
 2. The method according to claim 1, wherein (b) is W and Fe.
 3. The method according to claim 1, wherein (b) is W and Mn.
 4. The method according to claim 1, wherein (b) is W, Fe and Mn.
 5. The method according to claim 1, wherein (c) the alkali metal salt is an alkali metal halide or an alkali metal hydroxide.
 6. The method according to claim 1, wherein (b) is W and Fe, and (c) the alkali metal salt is an alkali metal halide.
 7. The method according to claim 1, wherein (b) is W and Fe, and (c) the alkali metal salt is an alkali metal hydroxide.
 8. The method according to claim 5, wherein (b) is W and Mn, and (c) the alkali metal salt is an alkali metal halide.
 9. The method according to claim 4, wherein (b) is W and Mn, and (c) the alkali metal salt is an alkali metal hydroxide.
 10. The method according to claim 5, wherein (b) is W, Fe and Mn, and (c) the alkali metal salt is an alkali metal halide.
 11. The method according to claim 1, wherein (b) W, Fe and Mn, and (c) the alkali metal salt is an alkali metal hydroxide.
 12. The method according to claim 1, wherein the saturated hydrocarbon feed is contacted at the same or different times with (a) CaSO₄, (b) W and at least one of Fe and/or Mn, (c) an alkali metal salt.
 13. The method according to claim 1, wherein (a) is present in an amount of 10 to 90% by weight and (b) is present in an amount of 1 to 85% by weight relative to the total weight of (a), (b) and (c).
 14. The method according to claim 4, wherein (c) is present in an amount of 1 to 10% by weight relative to the total weight of (a), (b) and (c).
 15. The method according to claim 1, further comprising: removing after oxidative dehydrogenation at least a portion of the CaSO₄ in reduced form; contacting the reduced CaSO₄ with a gas comprising molecular oxygen to produce a regenerated CaSO₄; and adding the regenerated CaSO₄ to the saturated hydrocarbon feed. 